How do you kill a Saint? Falcio, Brasti and Kest are about to find out, as someone is doing just that, and they've started with a friend.

The Dukes were already looking for ways to weasel out of their promise to put Aline on her father's throne - but with Saints turning up dead, rumour are spreading that the Gods themselves oppose her ascension. To make matters worse, the churches are also pushing for control and have brought back their own military orders - including church knights and, worst of all, the Inquisitors, who have their own, much harsher form of justice.

The only way Falcio can stop the country turning into a vicious theocracy is to find the Saint-killer - and his only clue is the iron mask encasing the head of the Saint of Mercy. And even if he can find the murderer, he will still have to face them in battle - and this may be a duel that no swordsman, no matter how skilled, can win.