Paladin Smith is a teacher, enlisted to go to war-threatened Crimea to find a former student and bring her home. But when his simple mission thrusts him headlong into an international conspiracy, Paladin finds himself on a collision course with destiny and the powers of Eastern Europe. Led by the Spirit, Paladin must outmaneuver corrupt diplomats, ambitious tyrants, and powerful invading armies to save a free people from the jaws of dictatorship. Paladin Smith is about to change the world.