After learning his fill in Aramthurst, Lyle heads to Central, where he receives an invitation to visit the Circry estate. There he meets Miranda and Shannon's father, Ralph Circry, who...isn't Lyle's biggest fan. But just as tensions start to rise, a surprising new visitor arrives: Lionel Walt, a nobleman from the Central branch of House Walt. All of sudden, Lyle is forced to navigate dealing with a distant relative—a complicated task made even more complex by his disownment.

It's in this dubious, slightly hostile atmosphere that Ralph steps forward and offers both boys the opportunity to join a subjugation force. The reward? Some gold coins, and the implied heirship to House Circry for whoever distinguishes himself the most. How will Lyle handle this new rivalry with Lionel? Is he even up to the challenge before him while still coping with the grief of watching yet another of his ancestors fade away?