The clouds of war gather over the West. Already the forces of the new Eastern Union have moved on the Far South. Now raiding parties sweep across the mountains as the Cairaga, under their ambitious young king, blockade the Kingdom of Ralgar. With time and manpower running short, newly promoted Lieutenant Fordain Abendroth must lead his companions on their first expedition to the mainland alone to find out whether Ralgar is to be invaded, and whether the time has come for the Golden Order to once again sally forth to defend its allies from the rising tide of darkness.