The great kingdom of Redenze is at the edge of a crisis. Its largest duchy, Westmarch, looms over the brink of civil war. Duke Tordred has died, leaving two sons who both claim to be his heir. Forness, his trueborn son, and Zeddard, his eldest but born out of wedlock, seem unable to compromise. The succession crisis can only end in bloodshed. Sensing his own forces will be insufficient to defeat his older brother, Forness has hired the Phoenix Blade Mercenaries. These hired blades, led by the shrewd Commander Fenix, may just tip the balance of the upcoming war in his favor. Our story begins with the newest captain of the Phoenix Blades, a young man named Edric, as he sets out to prove himself to Forness and Fenix. Soon he’ll learn that not all is as it appears in the Duchy of Westmarch. In fact, this succession crisis has the potential to bring the entire kingdom to ruin…