In which the young knight Sir Richard Shelton, amidst the grim aftermath of a fierce skirmish, braves the turmoil of a sacked town to seek out a lady named Joanna, all the while wrestling with the heavy cost of victory and the merciless nature of war. His pursuit leads him through scenes of ruin and despair, compelling him to gather a small loyal band and confront the harsh realities that attend the ravages of conflict and the fragile hopes of deliverance.