The young state of Fatrasta is a turbulent place where criminals, fortune seekers, brave colonists and magicians looking for relics of the past find shelter. Only the iron will of the Lady Chancellor and the secret police help keep the capital of Landfall from rebellion by the oppressed population. The uprising that threatens Landfall must be prevented by force and cunning. This task falls on the shoulders of a spy named Mikel Bravis, convicted war hero Ben Stike and Lady Vlora Flint, commander of a mercenary army. However, the inhabitants of Landfall will soon realize that rebellion is not the biggest of their problems.