Three years had passed since the infiltration of the Ignominies to the rangers' organization. Donotyr Lawsma, now going by the name of Heras Barirn, is now residing in the Count's palace in Serenno where he learns the truth of what his life was before his capture.

Donotyr has a promising future as a ranger in the planet of Yirrim, as well as having a caring mentor in the form of Fugmius and loving friends, but everything changes on the day of his knighting ceremony. Meanwhile, a young Cathar Padawan is struggling with the loss of her Master, Wintrev Legabeck, on a fateful battle three years ago.