Emma Steel, is the new Paragon of Humanity's homeworld of Logres, but her first day on the job casts suspicion on her partner, the legendary Finn Durandal. Her investigations lead her into direct conflict with the sinister Church Militant, as she risks her life to rescue a fleeing informant from their lethal clutches.

 

Elsewhere, the timorous rogue Brett Random and his scary comrade Rose Constantine are compelled to negotiate on the Durandal's behalf with the terrifying and hideous uber-espers known as the Spider Harps.

 

And in the royal inner circle, the immovable wills of Lewis Deathstalker, the King's Champion, and Jesamine Flowers, the King's betrothed, labor in vain against the most irresistible force they've ever known. Or so they think.