The kingdom is on the brink of war. Duke Herrigar Gunnerson is massing troupes to invade the faerie land of Thronebreak. Principalities of the North resist the authoritarian rules of Primate Simmon's clergy. This book follows the journey of a monk to deliver tidings of corruption to allies in other parts of the land. His enemies are vigilant and their machinations ensnare him and make his journey long and difficult. The various players in the fate of the kingdom are followed in the rising action of the threatened war. This is part one in a story that is continued in the second novel, Drake.