British expatriate Paul Chavasse is about as tough as they come. For years, he has made a dangerous living running men and intelligence across the Adriatic Sea from Italy to the communist country of Albania. But his ideals are about to be tested--more than he ever thought possible.

The Albanian government, seeking to crush a religious resurgence within its borders, wants to find and destroy the Madonna of Scutari--a legendary statue of ebony and gold that has protected the faithful for a thousand years. Before government forces capture them, priests hide the carving deep in the marshes along the coast.

Now, Paul Chavasse must outrun an entire army in a race to save the priceless relic--and the lives of thousands of believers ...