It's been two centuries since the Exodus, during which humans fled across a great ocean to escape the magical catastrophe that destroyed their old world. In the new world, they've begun to rebuild their civilization, but in a world where magic has been banned to prevent recurrence of that disaster. Morley, a dwarf, has found precarious safety as the court jester in Ankur. But safety is not acceptance, and he's at best shunned, feared and tormented at worst. When a mysterious sorcerer offers Morley a chance to be normal, he accepts without hesitation. But powerful magic always carries a price, and Morley finds the payback may be far costlier than he'd expected—it may even cost him his world. In this sequel to Chords, we learn more of the history of the post-Exodus world, what the true stakes are should magic re-enter the world, and what price Morley is willing to pay for acceptance.