Syrina has spent the last three years trying to drown her grief. The events in Eheene changed both her and the planet of Eris forever, but the world has not been idle.

The Grace of Fom's war for independence rages on, but with a secret stolen from Syrina's friends, she is now gaining the advantage, even as the Archbishop's schemes could end in disaster for all. Meanwhile, the former High Merchant Ehrina Ka'id and her faithful servant carry out plans of their own, but they need Syrina if they hope to succeed.

Elsewhere, General Mann, once servant of the Grace, has now fallen in with the pirate Ves, and they soon get caught in a conspiracy that could decide the fate of the world.

Can they all put aside their differences and act in time before a second Age of Ashes ends civilization once and for all?