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The story begins in an ancient temple that had originally be erected for the Lady of Light, he goddess’ temple – but has since become the place of political discussion, where the Overlord Kitya of House Dracus is complaining that his most trusted servant and advisor, Bharat, was brutally murdered right in front of him by the members of the elite task force known as The Bloodguard from House Eichon. He goes on to explain that long has House Eichon coveted the Mearas contract and that by killing Bharat, that Overlord Namora of House Eichon, sought to leave House Dracus directionless.
Overlord Namora does not deny that they seek to maintain a hold on the market share but does not go as far as confirming that he is responsible for the ordering the Bloodguard to murder Bharat.
The council informs Overlord Kitya, that unless he can provide proof that Overlord Namora is behind the murder, the council will dismiss the charge – but Overlord Kitya can not provide the evidence without implicating his own son who was responsible for letting the Bloodguard know when to strike.
The scene shifts to Overlord Kitya’s son, Mara, in prison for his treachery. Overlord Katya’s other son, Kalkin, enters the prison and proceeds to beat on his brother for his treachery and how his actions has jeopardized House Dracus. Mara tries to explain he only wanted Bharat killed so that he could be father’s advisor – but Kalkin will not hear it – just as he’s about to kill Mara, Nightwind appears and forces Kalkin to stop.
Kalkin goes up to see his father, Overlord Kitya, who explains that he got an urgent message from Tarrus One-Eye of Liam – requesting an audience – and that if a mutual agreement can be made, it will be quite important. Kalkin explains that Lord Tarrus rules the city of Liam which is one of the greatest strategically placed cities that controls all of the trade routes in the hemisphere.
The scene shifts again, and we see Overlord Namora laughing gleefully about how Overlord Kitya had been humbled; sharing this enjoyment with Ashikaga, who stands sternly listening to the Overlord. Namora’s drunken debacle is interrupted as one of his ninjas bursts into the room to report that they saw Lord Tarrus the One Eye here in the bazaar.
The scene shifts to the following morning when Lord Tarrus visits House Dracus – and there is some verbal exchange, before Lord Tarrus says that there’s no need to be polite and deceitful about House Dracus’ current predicament. Lord Tarrus explains that due to the city of Liam, which he rules over, he imposes massive tariffs on trades that go through there – which is exclusively almost all major trades. He goes on to say that the Overlord have often dreamed of a tariff free trading route; but that they’d never have it – except, perhaps House Dracus.
Lord Tarrus explains, that all he asks for in exchange is a Key of Telku. (Note – this will eventually tie into the events that happens in The Adventurers). Overlord Kitya explains that the rumor is once all five keys are found – they can be used to open the Gates of Chaos and plunge the world into darkness. Lord Tarrus assures him that he only wants one key. When asked if Lord Tarrus knows the location of said key, he explains there’s one located in crypt beneath a temple in Baal, in the city of Baali. Kalkin mentions that the city of Baal is one of the most powerful cities in the Singing Plains, and that the people of Baali were fanatic followers of their god, Baal – and would gladly go to war and die for their god.
Lord Tarrus mentions that a large scale army against Baali would indeed fail; but perhaps skilled, stealth trained assassins, such as the Amita K’un could succeed where strength fails. Overlord Kitya says they will confer; and Tarrus says to take their time; while they do he will go approach House Eichon – which gets Overlord Kitya to scream at Tarrus that they have an accord. Overlord Kitya explains that Master Sun will pick a team to go; but Tarrus demands that Nightwind must be a part of it and that his reasons for selecting it are his own. Master Sun tells Nightwind to tail Lord Tarrus. Lord Tarrus spends the day going through the city, stopping everywhere, as if wanting to be seen by potentially prying eyes. When he reaches the Eel’s Head Inn, he turns on the lantern and knowingly reveals that he’s not alone – that several crimson colored ninjas are near him – the Bloodguard.
The Bloodguard demand Lord Tarrus to tell them what his dealings are with House Dracus and he calmly explains that they can return to their Overlord and tell him that it doesn’t concern him; the Bloodguard explain that they will have to take him to House Eichon then. Lord Tarrus explains he can’t do that either – and that he is waiting for someone. Just then, Nightwind breaks in through the window and begins attacking the Bloodguard. She makes quick work of the Bloodguard and turns to Lord Tarrus to demand why he singled her out to be a part of the mission to Baali. Tarrus explains that the only way the expedition will succeed is that if someone has a soul as dark as his – and that he as a gift for “gauging” souls and saw that hers was indeed as dark as his and that she would possess what it took to succeed.
Since Tarrus refuses to go to another Inn for safety; Nightwind stays to guard him. The following morning, Tarrus’ imp warns him to be careful of Nightwind; she is beautiful and sharp; but she is still a weapon, and if he isn’t careful, he will cut himself.
In the meantime, one of the Bloodguard returns to Overlord Namora, and (lies) says that a superior number of Amita K’un attacked them when they confronted Tarrus the One Eye, and that he was the only one to escape alive. Overlord Namora realizes this must mean that Tarrus was here to make some kind of arrangement with Overlord Kitya. Overlord Namora tells Ashikaga to do something – and Ashikaga questions the Bloodguard who survived and learns it was none other than Nightwind who defended Tarrus. Ashikaga severs the surviving Bloodguard’s head and swears he will get vengeance against Nightwind.
We see Ashikaga and another Bloodguard spying from the roof of House Dracus as Nightwind, and five other Amita K’un depart, dressed in Baal worshiper attire – but Ashikaga knows it’s the Amita K’un.
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