Reeve Joss is struggling to defend a country ravaged by the assaults of twin armies. His men now patrol a land of burning villages & homeless refugees as Joss tries to separate traitor from friend. The Reeves thoughts are also plagued by the intriguing Zubaidit pleasure-giver spy & temple-trained assassin. But Zubaidit is focused on a dangerous mission her target being warped Guardian Lord Radas. His death would leave the invading militia in chaos but the old tales tell truly of the Guardians immortality
- & of the powers they now wield to twist the hearts of men. Josss nights are also troubled disturbed by dreams of Marit. His lost love has returned from death to become a feared Guardian herself but Marit rejected the corrupt temptations they offered. She now seeks others of her kind praying some are yet uncontaminated by the blight on the land
- & have the will to fight it.