The found family of Aris, Nails, and Ferret has been broken up, as Nails enlists in the service of the priesthood of the goddess Laesil in exchange for protection for his friends. Aris and Ferret continue in their service to House Leconta, but Ferret finds the secret of her budding magical abilities increasingly difficult to conceal. Meanwhile, Zealla Alcuri continues weaving her web of plots to restore her house to its lost greatness, a path that will lead to a potentially deadly clash with the Leconta and their young followers.

"The Secrets of Li Syval" is the second novella in the latest series of stories set in the world of "Forgotten Lore," which take place in an island city-state where family connections are everything, hidden factions seek power behind the scenes, and lost magic lies waiting to be claimed—or to claim those who seek it.