An impossible choice…love or family loyalty. Sophia falls in love with a guest at her brother’s wedding, but he is an envoy sent by her father’s enemies. Brandt intends to return home as soon as his unwelcome obligation to attend the wedding is fulfilled. It quickly becomes apparent he’ll be lucky to leave the celebrations alive.

Lute von Wolfenberg is the carefree middle son of the family with no responsibilities, but no prospects either. Obliged to fight in the army of the Holy Roman Emperor in a foreign war, he struggles to hold on to his sense of humor and optimism amid the betrayals and atrocities of the campaign. He finds himself drawn to Francesca di Cammarata, niece of the Emperor's arch enemy, Roger of Sicily. She is an arrogant princess brought up in the lap of luxury whose duty lies in thwarting the imperial troops, but she cannot deny her feelings for Lute. The conflict will test their loyalty to country and family.

When all hope seems lost… Destined from childhood to follow his vocation to become a priest, Konrad has lost his faith and no longer believes in God. It’s a precarious predicament in a medieval world dominated by the Church. Disillusioned by war, he wanders Europe in search of himself. Seeking redemption through a crusade against slavery, he becomes a pirate with the goal of seizing ships that carry human cargo. Zara is a successful woman of commerce, mistress of a Venetian fleet. Konrad is drawn to her, but her vessels often transport slaves. She will stop at nothing to protect her beloved ships.