John's family has decided to join the Triad. His great-granddaughter is the first to come to school on the Citadel. John's big concern is how the other students will react to having a Goblin in their class. Elizabeth is also a problem, believing herself to be above others as the granddaughter of a Queen. Her open rebellion is triggered by another students betrayal. She runs away, stealing a scooter and crashing in the mountains of Tamarkand.
She joins with a ruler who is openly antagonistic to the Triad and John in particular.