Wes Tenley is a humble man that scapes whatever he can to support both his wife, Rose, and his infant daughter, Margarette. He is one of several cotters in a village named Harshel that sits near the western coast of the great country of Villaden. One day, a mysterious beggar is taken prisoner, and, to earn a few more copper reeds to buy a little extra food to celebrate his wife's birthday, he takes an offer to guard this man overnight. The dark secrets that this prisoner holds changes not only the life of Wes, but the lives of those living in Villaden.