After their escape from pirate captain Margit Ansdottir, Dagrun Lund and fellow Intelligencer Calder Rahmson witness the pirates' destruction of towns along the coast of Swyford. Along with the Lavais shipyards, sea-going vessels and warehouses of food have been destroyed.

The city of Tarklee must be warned, before the pirates rejoin their co-conspirator, Grand Freeholder Tarmo Holt. Avoiding pirates at every turn, Dag and Calder journey to the city. But they're too late: Tarklee's harbour is set ablaze.

With her sister gone and the looming threat of famine haunting the city, Dag, Calder, and the few remaining Intelligencers must find a way to defeat Tarmo Holt and save the people of the Fair Seas Treaty Alliance.