It all started in Real, where matter still matters. It all started with a murder. And it will not end until the Culture goes to war with death itself. Ledeje Ibrek is one of the Intaglitok, her body bears the mark of family shame, and her life belongs to a man whose desire for power knows no bounds. Ready to risk everything for her freedom, she will be forced to pay a high price for freedom. But for this she needs the assistance of the Culture. The friendly and powerful civilization of the Culture is ready to do everything possible to help. Working with one of the world's most powerful warships, Lededje finds herself caught in a conflict, but she is unsure which side the Culture is truly on. War, cruel and all-encompassing, rages inside the Virtual Worlds, in which the souls of the dead are found. And she is ready to break out to Real... It began in Real, and that is where it will end. It will claim countless lives and affect all civilizations, but at the center of the battle is a young woman whose thirst for revenge hides other motives.