Running away from a slave ship, Effera, Jiliora, Orlin, and Kilian encounter a calamity, as Kilian loses his life. Driven by a desire to keep Kilian's memory alive, Effera and Jiliora commit themselves to deliver Kilian's pendant to their captive kin, under Baron Celdion's custody. The Baron harbors grand designs of conquering all the neighboring territories.