Justin sacrifices his life to destroy the bandit-monster and give his men a shot at victory. The leaders of Cryssigens convene to elect a new Mark who will no doubt lead a rebellion. What chance is there to avert civil war?

Justin struggles to penetrate the hills, but the bandits bring a monstrous foe against his newly-inherited company. Bar-flies in Cryssigens hear that the Emperor's mission has been destroyed, and nothing stands in the way of rebellion against the Empire now.