Falsely convicted and exiled for attacking his friend, half-elven half-barbarian Toran flees to neighboring Eridan. Following his uncle's advice, he finds work in the seedy Knife & Cat tavern. During the princess's welcoming parade, Toran uses elven skills and barbarian battle rage to thwart her assassination. His actions earn him an invitation to join the secret protectors of Eridan known as the Warders.

A second attempt succeeds in poisoning the princess but fails to kill her. Toran, a veteran dwarf agent, and the princess's lady-in-waiting embark on a quest to retrieve the antidote's key ingredient. Other Warder agents work with the thieves' guild to protect the comatose princess from the assassin, the sorceress Skade, and an unknown traitor within the royal household.