Southward Lyon and the rich diocese of Vienne, lies a land depleted by famine and sacks; here the Rhone River flows to Arles, into the sea. Along its banks stretches an harsh landscape of wooded endless hills, creeks, countless springs; there are only two safe places left for people to gather: the ancient Abbey of Manthes, and the merchant town of Epinouze.

From time out of mind, two dynasties would fight for power over this land - and to control the lucrative course of Rhone River: the House of Vion, who own the waterways, the castle, and the new village of Albon; the House of Boscozel, bearing rule on the region known as "Cote de St.André", that's gateway to Grenoble Diocese.

Amboise de Montsalvy is summoned there to try and cure a little girl, nephew of Boscozel's Lord: she lies comatose since her young sister was found murdered.

Together with Amboise come three companions: Artemisia, a young woman deemed his pupil; Colin Bois, mercenary captain; the inscrutable Illait from Isley, who's preceded by the dangerous reputation of being an unrepentant heathen, holder of the Druids' ancient wisdom.

Amboise de Montsalvy didn't mention to them some events happened twenty years before, when he stayed in those lands to plan Albon's wonderful castle and the village nearby - being an architect as well as a medician - by appointment of Guigues de Vion. Events that shaped his life, binding him tightly to the tragedy of lovely Alix from House of Vion - to the ferocious insanity of Rais, latest lord of Boscozel.

Rais welcomes Amboise's arrival, together with young Artemisia, as the long awaited omen marking his last possibility to win his foe's lands. Guigues de Vion, Albon's first lord, looks at the newcomers as means to settle his past's tragedies, to agree with his foreseen destiny of power. To Amboise, being back in these places means coming to terms with his own life.

Alas, when events still hang in unsteady balance, in Manthes shows up the monk Leon de Vezelay, who'd untiredly persecute Illait to avenge his former Bishop.

His arrival brings events to a head, exposing plots meant to confuse and conceal many truths: the true way Rais' little nephew died and what really happened twenty years before.

Amidst flights, ambushes, sieges, battles and fires, Illait from Isley shall stand a bestower of justice, who'll deliver to everyone his terrible gift: awareness.

From those events beginning the Count of Albon kingdom, until our days named Dauphiné.