The legions of the Sciolan Empire have defeated two of the Athetan home worlds. The first to fall was Enochos. Next, Virtus. Now the Sciolans are advancing on the last stronghold, Theros. The Sciolan Emperor, Khariman, has vowed to seize the Athetan Logesthon of Names. If he succeeds all Athetae will be lost, including everything the name of an Athetan implies-freedom, virtue and life. Responsibility to bear the logesthon to safety falls upon Logeseus, a young Athetan who has been sent to duty at a remote outpost on the planet Urisia. Khariman sends forces to stop him. Nevertheless, only he can rescue Athetae from its fall into slavery, and that rescue requires that he make a desperate journey to Sciolus, the fortress of the enemy.