In the southern realm of Altier Nashal, a kingdom of frozen seas and vast forests, a civil war between three rival factions sparks the beginning of a foretold doom. Ban Karst, paladin and scrivener, is the noble son of the Lord Regent and declared a traitor by all sides. Ban's betrothed is left to hold a kingdom together while he must contend with dragons, goddesses, and goblins. His failure has been ordained by fate, and his battle is lost before he can raise his blade. There is no one for him to turn to save for a pair of fugitives, a healer and an assassin.