After centuries of peace, Tagonia suspects trouble maybe brewing from its neighbour, just across the sea. The emperor Marciarnous, although he would never admit it, is losing his control over his ambitious eldest son. Xantos, Ruler of Southern Mensk, has built an army far greater than that of his ageing father's in the North and is now desperate for conquest. No longer interested in peace, Xantos is unwilling to wait until he inherits the title of emperor before pushing forward with his plans.

The king of Tagonia is also nearing the end of his time but with his daughter and sole heir totally unprepared for the crown things are looking bleak. Even with no real army to speak of and nothing more than a country full of crafters and farmers, the new queen is determined not to surrender the nation without a good fight.