A rebellion is brewing in the ranks of the loyal servants of the Confederation of Central Worlds, the Shadows. Irreconcilable differences have divided them into two camps: those who support the current government and those who are trying to overthrow it. One of the leaders of the rebellion instructs agent Ravn Olafsdottr to deliver Donovan, a scarred man, to the Lion's Mouth - to the Shadow base. Donovan, himself once a Confederate agent, has an important role to play in this confrontation. However, the man with the scars does not intend to participate in the civil war. When Ravn Olafsdottr kidnapped him, he was on his way to meet Ban Bridget, the Hound of the League. Donovan is confident that his disappearance will not go unnoticed and expects the Hound to go looking for him. But will it be too late?