Every year hundreds of warriors and swordsmen travel to the grand city of Basilopolis to audition for the Emperor of Makhaira's personal company. Only the greatest are admitted into that elite corps. Most are found wanting and sent on their way, with nothing more than the tales of how they were almost good enough to serve him. Edward Aethelredson knows that he is worthy to pledge his blade for the Emperor's service. His entire life has readied him for this moment, and now he must only finish his journey and claim his rightful place amongst the best. In the midst of his journey, however, he finds himself pledging his sword - and his life - not to the Emperor but to a lowly innkeeper. He swears an oath to discover who kidnapped and murdered a young and innocent girl. He finds himself unraveling a conspiracy that could threaten the very foundation of the Empire. Armed with his ancestral sword of glittering water-steel and knowledge passed on to him by the greatest magician in his homeland, Edward must also face the memories of a father slain, a king defied, and past oaths sworn. His future awaits...