The year is 1098 AD and General Calais Delacroix, Duke of Sauveterre is determined to fulfill his sacred vow-to seize the Holy Land from the Muslim horde and create a new Christian Kingdom in the East.

As he stands on the battlements of the ancient citadel of Antioch, overlooking a city in flames, his mind wanders to the imminent arrival of a young man from his homeland. The General hopes to right a wrong and undo an old betrayal that has plagued his noble family.

The Chevaliers, a line of princes dating back to the days of Emperor Charlemagne is on the brink of disaster. An heir must be found! Someone must take the seat as Baron de Anvelle.

But the General is racing against time and a fractious army more intent on personal wealth than heavenly reward. Nonetheless, the Provençal Prince, hatches a plan to save his army, family and Provence.

A ship now sails carrying the young man who not only holds Delacroix's hopes and dreams, but harbors his own burning desire of finding his true father. Could this boy really be Delacroix's long-lost son? To be sure, the General puts young Étienne Duval through the greatest test of all-mortal combat. Fighting side by side, all the way to Jerusalem-they face starvation, deprivation and betrayal, all the while discovering each other's hidden past.

Will the famed Chevalier line continue or be extinguished forever?