In 1819, David has settled into the easy life of a Rastem warrior without a war to fight. When he and fellow Rastem Yori are sent on a mission that falls near David's old hometown of Hauginstown, he discovers that Hauginstown was destroyed at some point. Frantic for the truth, he heads to the closest town only to find a survivor that reveals that Hauginstown was attacked and razed to the ground by their Rastem's old adversaries, the Tepish. Yet, David does not understand why the Tepish would concern themselves with such an insignificant town. When this survivor further reveals that he knows where the current Tepish Fortress is located, David and Yori are immediately suspicious, though it still makes no sense for the Tepish to place someone to wait twenty years after the attack for David to show up. Convincing Yori and the Rastem Order that he can follow this lead objectively, David risks his future to discover the truth behind the razing of Hauginstown. Why did the Tepish do it? Who was behind it? And what was so special about David that they would leave someone behind just for him?