Summary

The story opens up with a wedding in the country of Fegnir at Guel Castle. Shortly after the wedding, everyone in the castle except the groom named Sargon and the priest that performed the ceremony; die from poisoned food. The priest dies by a scout as he and Sargon flee. A soldier from the last patrol of Castle Guel named Bellgrad is discovered by Sargon while riding his horse away from the carnage. All of this takes place as a horrendous blizzard blows through the land.

At the same time a young priest named Yor comes out of hiding (being raised by the clergy of the temple) by performing part of a service at the temple of Yahmar in the town of Missionwise. He discovers after tending the sick beneath the temple that he has the gift to use "Holy Magic" after healing a man struck with the plague. No priest up to that point has been able to perform any Clerical Magic for the past 100 years; they heal through the use of plants, wood and stone.

It is discovered (by the reader) that the person that Sargon suspected is indeed behind his family's murder; but the identity of the assassin is unknown. Sargon and Bellgrad take lodging with a blacksmith friend and are warned as they leave in the morning that they will be pursued. A master pathfinder pursues the 2; Sargon and Bellgrad are forced to go cross country. They fall victim to bear attacks; mortally wounding Bellgrad; Sargon rides through the night to save his friend, taking him to Missionwise. Bellgrad is miraculously healed by Father Yor after being declared dead by others at the temple.

They undertake several encounters as they try to reach Lord Calador's castle. Joining up with the two, are Lord Calador's champion, an oriental monk, a barbarian from the mountains, a small elf with his human girlfriend, Father Yor, the blacksmith's daughter, Meg with a scout also joining the group as well as a few more along the way.

Hungry shape changing Bugbears kidnap 2 members of the party and is up to the rest of the group to rescue them. While doing so they also discover the creature's lair, by accident of course and with a terrible cost.

Sargon becomes a squire for this Lord Calador and therefore is under the protection of his house. He cannot be arrested without proof and has to be convened in front the council of nobles (the land has no king); which meet twice a year. The next meeting will be after the next Games Of Valor which will be taking place in a few months. Sargon's group embark on other adventure which includes rescuing a kidnapped maiden and discovering a human smuggling ring operated by the Half man/ half boar creature called the Perequine. And they also discover there is a larger collection at a castle outside of Missionwise. There are some actions happening behind the scenes that may possibly help Sargon prove his innocence of murdering his family when he steps before the council.