To avert civil war with the powerful Temple of Kronos, Helen Andros, under a Temple death mark, leaves the luxury of the estate of her father, Lord James Mordecai, Duke of Alta and Lord Protector of Azgard. She takes shelter in mountainous Southern Alta Province with the Altairs, the family of her secret love, Colonel Jackson Orlando. She is consumed by remorse over the time she wasted fighting with her father instead of getting to know him.

During a contentious session of the Kinshazen, Lord James displays kura skills similar to the legendary Kronos, first Exalted Lord of Azgard. One of those caught in the energy blast is Ezekiel Malachi, the Temple’s Supreme Lord. Because Lord James has complied with Malachi’s conditions, the Holy One allows a First Blood ritual for Lord Jess Mordecai, Lord James’ infant son and heir. Malachi, suffering strange ill effects from Lord James’ anger, restores Lucan Silenas as Holy Deputy and orders him to develop a Resonator to counteract Lord James’ power.

Helen now knows that Orlando goes by his mother’s maiden name because he is estranged from his father, Jason Altair. She quickly develops a deep bond of affection and respect for Orlando’s mother, Marlin Altair, who calls her Kura’din, ancient words for energy master. Helen soon learns that Jason, the man who saved her own father’s life when he was a boy, is dying. Jason sends for Lord James, reuniting Helen with her father far sooner than expected.

With impetus from Judith Altair, the friend of Helen’s mother who accompanied Lord James on the visit, Jason and his son reconcile. After his father’s funeral, Orlando is acclaimed leader of Clan Altair and vows to go by his father’s name, while honoring Jason’s wish that this not occur unless and until the Altair name can be cleared of the suspicion in the death of Lord James’s father. Morgan Altair, Jason’s younger brother, puts a curse on his nephew and is exiled from the Altair farm and lands. Judith warns that Morgan will sell knowledge of Helen’s whereabouts to the highest bidder, and Orlando makes plans to move her again by early spring.

The plot against Lord James gathers momentum after the assassin is freed from captivity by the Kalmuk, one of Eastern nation-tribes that are sworn enemies of Azgard, and return to Azgard. The secret leaders of the Kinshazen’s neutral faction look for support from higher-ranking houses to petition Kefren to change the succession from his brother Prince Seti. The Lord Steward of the Kinshazen forms a committee of peers to examine the evidence exonerating Jason, and they find that it is credible. Lord James’ motion to do so is voted down, however.

Prince Seti’s son, Lord Sargon, begins a covert sexual relationship with Lady Elza Palladin, younger sister of Lord Andrew Palladin, the Lord Chancellor. Silenas, pretending to work on a Resonator, receives from the Temple’s aged librarian an ancient scroll that reveals the true origins of the Andros family as the descendents of the real firstborn of Kronos, a half-breed named Andros. Unable to win Malachi’s endorsement for his scheme, Silenas uses his resources among the priest-healers to begin killing the Supreme Lord through slow poisoning. Silenas is determined to prevent Helen from being slain and bring her under his control.

Helen moves to her father’s hunting lodge, and spends a few lonely hours before finding and taking in Deborah Sheen, the motherless, homeless daughter of the Sin-Eater, who lives in a cave nearby. When Helen sets out to rescue Deborah’s missing older brother, Jeriko, Morgan discovers Helen’s new location and takes his valuable information along with his furs to the Lesser Shore district of Shambhala. Morgan eventually sells his knowledge to Silenas through Griffin Mordecai, Lord James’ disavowed cousin. Silenas hires a group of mercenaries to kidnap Helen and they quit the Army to start planning their expedition.

Against all local custom, Helen befriends Obediah Sheen, the Sin-Eater, and they are visited regularly by Maguari the Mist-Weaver, who teaches them the highly advanced energy-manipulation skills that the Temple has long sought to impart to its followers. He also reveals to Helen that each link on the gem’s chain corresponds to a part of the physical body, and teaches her how to use different links in the chain to magnify and accelerate the stone’s healing and protection properties. Marlin arrives at the lodge for an extended visit.

Helen’s father comes to see her for a few days in late summer. While Lord James is absent, Lady Elza’s pregnancy is revealed . Caught in a crisis over his young son’s strange malady, which doctors cannot identity, Lord Andrew unwisely accuses Lord Sargon in public. After Lord James leaves the lodge to visit Avalon for a divisional troop inspection, the plot against him reaches its tragic climax. Helen and Obediah defend themselves and the children from unknown assailants who reach the lodge before those guarding Helen from a distance can arrive.