Voslo and the Captain visit with Cartheen to negotiate, but things don't go as hoped. Back at the estate, Armeia is missing, and something ominous has appeared in the sky.

The citizens of Ashgarden all share a mysterious dream, and the Confessors arrive to investigate heresy within the city. Voslo Stettman is forced to stand up for Armeia, and tensions grow between himself and the Landbaron's retinue.

Lord Ayan Thoto receives some guests who are not who they claimed to be, and a mysterious man who follows The Lion preaches to an audience. 

Voslo and Captain Bezrin tour The Ironway, the central hub for craftsmanship and trade in the city of Ashgarden. When the Captain is called away for something urgent, Voslo is ambushed by a familiar face, and then meets the woman leading the resistance. 

Kory and Voslo are called upon to attend breakfast with the Landbaron and his guests. Captain Bezrin returns with a report from Bear's Ford, and with a broken shield that raises more questions than answers. 

Voslo and Kory find the sprawling city of Ashgarden to be dark, destitute, and quiet. Citizens hide inside their houses, and bodies dangle from high poles in the streets. Unsure of what to make of it, they search for anyone who can lead them to the Landbaron, and to answers. 

Voslo and Kory set on their way to Ashgarden to meet the Landbaron of the Riverlands. Along the way they'll meet an unusual personality, and discover a small village where something has gone horribly wrong.

Voslo is disappointed about the outcome of his final duel, and wrestles with the grief that his childhood left him with. Suddenly retired, he struggles with finding new meaning. 

The day of the duel arrives. Kory and Voslo are escorted to the Raised Square, where the fight will happen in front of an audience. As they begin to duel, something about Darmeen bothers the aged master duelist. 

Lord Olney Bradan throws a lavish feast the evening before the duel. With hundreds of hopeful duelists gathered in one spot, Voslo must separate the wheat from the chaff, and choose who he will face at the Raised Square the following day.