Galoran: a scarred and wounded soldier, he has been cast out of his emperor's service now that his usefulness as an officer is over. But Galoran's life takes an unexpected turn when he learns that a distant cousin has died mysteriously — and left him heir to a castle and the title that goes with it. A new life is his — so long as he can hold it.

Melchior: a holy man, he is sworn to the twin disciplines of religion and the difficult and highly dangerous study of magic. To achieve his goals he must lead a life of quiet contemplation. Instead, he comes with the castle: he must become the embattled new count's spiritual adviser in a land of heresy and black magic.

At first, the two men distrust each other — but soon their only hope against the treachery and cold steel that surround them lies in each other.