Forty years on from the establishment of the Outremer, trouble is stirring. The religious, determined to root out heresies within the kingdom, have made a base in their stronghold of Roq de Rancon, protected by the Knight Ransomers.

And in this remote and secretive place, a tale of love, duty and betrayal will unfold: for Marron, a young man newly sworn to the Ransomers; for Julianne, daughter of the King's Shadow, en route to her wedding in Elessi; and for Elisande, her young and mysterious companion. All have a part to play in the coming upheaval, for their lives are intricately involved with the fate of the kingdom . . .