It is the Winter of 1109 in the official calendar of Pajan. Okko and his faithful campanions arrive at the City of Black Powder, escaping from the bloodthirsty battles on the Plains of Pajan. While seeking a guide to help them cross the perilous Mountains of the Seven Monasteries, they meet a skillful warrior woman: Windreaper ("Fauche-Le-Vent" in French). A scout with information for Okko is murdered and consequently their path crosses that of two sinister monks bearing on their tengai a raven emblem, symbol of dark foreboding! The group sets off to the monasteries to investigate this mysterious brotherhood...