A tenuous peace holds in Edrovir in the weeks since Nagaro prevented Lothard Hurn, the most ruthless and ambitious scion of the Leithian Faction, from killing the Kelorin Faction's miss-identified heir to the great King Darion. Nagaro's focus is on giving what support he can to Princess Nevien as she again faces an unappealing array of suiters vying for her hand - and for the crown. On the surface, all is calm, but disquieting evidence begins to emerge of clandestine dealings among the members of Lothard's sub-faction, the fanatically traditionalist Brothers of the Blood - dealings that link the Brothers both to illegal trade in the will-controlling drug heskial, and to Dreigen, King Elgurn's sinister Lore Master. This politically sensitive situation is being investigated by Nagaro's commander, Kuran, the Lord of the Royal Fleet. Nagaro tries to distance himself from the investigation, not wishing to further antagonize Lothard or to cross paths with his old nemesis, Dreigen, but he has come to the attention of the Brothers of the Blood, and they have other plans.