Summary

Collegium and its allies in the Lowlands have reached an uneasy truce with the Wasp Empire. While the Wasps deal with their internal divisions, the statesman Stenwold Maker finds himself mired in personal battles, hunting his missing ward, Tynisa and awaiting the return of his niece, Cheerwell, from her diplomatic mission to the distant city of Khanaphes.

On the political home front, his efforts to reach peace with the neighbouring Ant city-state of Vek hang in the balance – a peace that is essential if Collegium is to defend itself against the Empire’s next encroachment – and the new leadership of Collegium’s governing body is shortly to be voted upon, deciding whether the future will be guided by Stenwold’s ally, Jodry Drillen, or his bitter enemy Helmess Broiler.

A complete list of characters, places and other things can be found at the back of the book.