After centuries of stasis, the island kingdom of Charis began to defy the Church of God Awaiting. Now, after Charis' declaration of independence, the Republic of Siddermark is sliding into chaos. Vicar Clyntahn of the Church of God Awaiting has engineered a rebellion against the Lord Protector - bringing civil war at harvest time. King Cayleb of Charis, his queen Sharleyan, and Merlin Athrawes must stave off wholesale starvation in Siddermark while at the same time shipping in enough land combat units to fend off the volunteers from the Church's Temple Lands. And while Vicar Clyntahn is hailed in the Church for his boldness, some remember how dependent Church power is on money from Siddermark...and who wonder what will happen if Siddermark starves.