Horace is missing. Months have passed since he was sent on a military mission to Nihon-Ja but he has failed to return. Evanlyn is worried, and in company with Will, Alyss, and Halt, she sets out to discover what has become of their old friend. They find that Horace has become embroiled in Nihon-Ja politics. The arrogant Senshi Sect has rebelled against the rightful Emperor and Horace supports the deposed ruler. Now the rangers must turn farm and forest workers into a fighting force that can face the highly trained Senshi warriors and restore the emperor before it’s too late.