After losing his family to banecats, he decides to take the oath of the Chosen One, hoping for a quick death.

Instead, Devlin solves the mystery of elusive bandits, and defeats a lake monster, to the growing annoyance and concern of his enemies.

Helping those he deems sincere, Devlin seeks out the barony that is having no trouble, and investigates in his role as Chosen One.

When he finally understands the depths of the baron’s treachery, he returns to Kingsholm to uncover the rest of the conspiracy.

When he arrives, he finds that the Marshal of the Royal Army, Duke Gerhard, is a main conspirator, and the accused baron has been released.