“What must I do to be cleansed?” Sir Edric de Pleure is the bravest, noblest, kindest knight in the world—according to his twelve-year-old squire, Taliesin. His view of himself is far different. After an unnerving encounter with God’s holiness, Sir Edric knows the true darkness in his heart and that he cannot defeat it. When Taliesin is kidnapped by a sinister knight, Edric must fight to win him back. Wounded and weaponless, his quest is doomed to fail. But a slender chance presents itself in a mystic sword, carried by a strange friar. This is no ordinary blade—only the pure may wield it. As Edric struggles through dangerous forests and his every attempt to gain righteousness fails, he begins to understand that saving Taliesin is impossible if he cannot save himself.