In a world of turmoil, following the king's death, the traitor Vasic is struggling to secure his rule over the combined Peninsular Kingdoms whilst the exiled queen, Alwenna, has taken refuge with a freemerchant community whose elders fear her dark power. Mistrust rules the day with bribery, drugs, trafficking of children, and murder rife throughout the kingdom. As the priestess' plot for revenge continues, Alenna leaves to seek the outcast group of loyal kinsman. Marten attempts to restore Alwenna to the throne but as the priestess closes in, will he succeed?