Eliam Cross embarks on a mission to restore the supply lines to the Vattonses Imperial Army. His friend and king, Melaki, desires to return the victorious army home without any further interference from raiding bandits - and the army is in desperate need of those supplies. Eliam, promoted to captain of the palace guard, finds that his guards defy him at every step. The commander Doneroke wants to see Eliam removed, believing that a Callacan soldier should not hold any position in the Vattonses guard. The sub-commander Malcens does not just want Eliam removed, but dead. Marshal Ottaran of the imperial army moves his forces back to confront the bandits that have his army on the verge of desertion. He also wants to see Eliam removed. Dranthar, a relic from times past and bandit-leader, wants the army for himself - to march on the capital and remove the wizard-king Melaki from the throne. Eliam, surrounded by enemies, will face them all; until the final treachery.