Following the events at the end of How Firm a Foundation, civil war has wracked the Republic of Siddarmark, causing widespread starvation and violence between those loyal to Lord Protector Greyghor Stohnar and the Temple Loyalists, who have risen up against him at the behest of Zhaspahr Clyntahn, the Grand Inquisitor of the Church of God Awaiting.

The suddenness of the uprising (code named "The Sword of Schueler") has "officially" caught the heretical Empire of Charis by surprise, and Emperor Cayleb and Empress Sharleyan begin to make preparations to send an expeditionary force to assist Stohnar in repelling the Church's invasion force while also sending large quantities of food to help the starving population.

As Ruhsyl Thairis, the Duke of Eastshare, and Kynt Clareyk, the Baron of Green Valley, begin marching their troops through Raven's Land to reach seaports where ships could most quickly pick them up and sail them to Siddarmark, fighting continues to rage on between armed Temple Loyalists and forces loyal to the Lord Protector in the strategically critical provinces of Glacierheart and South March as well as in the Sylmahn Gap with a scratch force of Charisian marines assisting where possible.

Realizing these odds, Cayleb dispatches several thousand marines and armed seaman from Old Charis, under the command of General Hauwerd Braygart, the Earl of Hanth, to stop the invasion in the south.

After leaving Breygart's forces in South March, Cayleb and Merlin sail to Siddar City, the capital of Siddarmark, where the emperor meets Lord Protector Greyghor and signs a mutual defense treaty.

Upon arrival in Chisholm, Empress Sharleyan presents her with a choice which would allow them to return home to Corisande and Daivyn to claim his throne: to accept the terms of the armistice imposed upon them (and the continuance of the Charisian occupation) or join the Empire of Charis as Emerald and Tarot have done.

In the Northern and Western provinces, the Army of God crushes all remaining resistance to the Temple Loyalists while the Inquisition moves in to establish internment camps where people suspected of heresy can be properly "questioned".

In the West, Brigadier Taisyn along with 4,000 Siddarmarkian and Charisian troops, blocks a critical river to prevent the Army of God from sweeping into Glacierheart.