After he causes a major accident, Barron is reassigned to a minor diplomatic mission to teach lens grinding to the locals.

In the Hellers Mountains, the isolated Storn family estate of High Windward has come under attack from a bandit colorfully named Brynat Scarface.

Storn has made telepathic contact with both Barron, causing his visions, and his sister Melitta, and instructs them both to rendezvous at the ancient city of Carthon.

While escaping the castle, Melitta calls on the assistance of Sharra, the mythical chained goddess of forges and fires.

Aldaran refuses to support their cause, but Desideria suggests she can use the Sharra Matrix on their behalf.