Emma Bannon, a sorceress in the service of the Empire, received a task: to protect Archibald Clare, an unregistered mentat. His deduction skills are legendary, and her magic is significant. It's bad that they can't stand each other, but it's even worse that Bannon's Shield, Mikal, might turn out to be a traitor. It’s just as bad that someone kills registered mentats and sorcerers, which could destroy them or persuade them to betray the queen. In an alternate London, magic has turned the industrial revolution on its head. Bannon and Claire will face hostility, betrayal, fire, black magic, and also the problem of transport. The game has begun...