Arslan, the young crown prince of the kingdom of Pars, rides into his first battle at the age of fourteen when the mighty Parsian army marches against the invading forces of Lusitania at the fortress of Atropatene. A devastating betrayal within Parsian ranks turns the battle into a rout, and the capital Ecbatana falls. Stripped of his kingdom and separated from his captured father King Andragoras, Arslan begins gathering loyal companions to reclaim Pars: the brilliant strategist Narsus, his servant Elam, the warrior Daryun, the priestess Farangis, and the wandering musician Gieve.