Cultures on a collision course ... In a far-flung outpost of the Roman Empire, the Great Cross-made of Celtic gold and amber now claimed by the Roman church-goes missing along with a fortune in coins and precious gems. Murder soon follows, igniting tensions when church leaders, maneuvering for political gain, are implicated in the violent plot. When the news reaches the Grand Prefect in Rome, Enforcers are sent to identify the thieves and recover the missing treasure. The trail leads to the Brendan Valley, where it falls to deputy magistrate Weylyn de Gort to work with those whose ways are alien to his Elder Faith beliefs. Along the way, he must find an elusive young Celt girl and her missing grandfather, unravel the mystery of an Elder's runevision, and avoid death at the hands of an assassin as he faces the greatest challenge of his life.