Guided by an arcane map, a thief and a king race against each other to locate a powerful weapon which is capable of shifting the balance of power. The thief, Blake, is a cowardly traitor, who hopes that finding the weapon will redeem him in the eyes of the people and secure his protection. King Alderic intends to destroy the weapon, fearing the discovery could spark a war that his reign will not survive.

The journeys of King Alderic and Blake bring them to the farthest reaches of the kingdom. Along the way they encounter a man who feigns magical ability in order to gain control of a city, a self-proclaimed demigod who terrorizes a remote mountain town, and a baron whose offered hand of friendship conceals sinister intent.