But Bhellion carried dangers of its own. Once the stone came into his hands, Sparhawk found himself stalked by a dark, lurking menace. Whether the foul Zemoch god Azash was behind this threat, or some other enemy, even Sephrenia could not say - only that the sapphire rose held powers too dangerous for any mortal to bear.

Restoring Queen Ehlana would only be the beginning of Sparhawk's mission. With the aid of four stalwart knights, one from each Militant Order, he must thwart Ehlana's poisoner, the Primate Annias, in his plot to assume the throne of the Church. For, as Archprelate, Annias would serve his secret master, Azash, and deliver up to the dread god the one thing Azash thirsted for - Bhelliom itself!