The fragile alliance between Basilea and the Order of the Brothermark is holding together, but increasingly under strain. With the Order of the Brothermark suffering both the demons of the Abyss and from the influence of their former comrades from the fractured Brotherhood, the Basilean Duma knows that it is time to act. Even a simple gesture could symbolically prove their good faith and intentions for the future of this vital alliance.Paladin Defender Kateryn is charged with leading a small force to escort a relic of deep spiritual importance from Spartha, back to its rightful home in the Brothermark. With her is Paladin Defender Orion, freshly promoted and still in the limelight after the heroic stand against the forces of the Abyss at the Battle of Andro.With the dead rising within Basilea itself, Kateryn and Orion are left isolated and alone at the head of a small band, desperately attempting to fight off the forces of evil as well as the bitter politics driven between two factions aligned by faith alone.