Gath and his friends have to go on despite the loss of Oda who had been abducted by Master Trader Soj Eckin. The memories of their lives together remains with Gath - and with Zar. Eckin, Samlathi Via and Oda each have their own paths to travel and for at least two of them it is to prove a long, difficult and painful path. For the Diderai, Ral-an, wanting to escape from his duties with the prince's Company and its Lord Captain, Gath, finds a more welcome and difficult task set him when he is sent a Warrant and a letter in which Gath begs him to find Oda for him. He is joined in that search by...

This book continues the story of Lord Captian Gath, as he now is, while he travels with his friends to the Prince's Isle. It tells of his struggles against the fate that has been laid down for him by the gods in the Book of Fates in the First of Times, The book records the fates of all the Princedom from the highest to the lowest down to the smallest insect to the leaves on a tree. He is recorded the fates of others: of Tyaneesa Vincenni or Paresia; of first Dasteen of the Trader's house on Seyton; of Soj Ecken himself as well as others that he summons to his service; and of one Andy Melviney.

Gath having, at last, reached the Prince's Isle now has to face his Prince and neither he, nor those close to him, are sure of his reception. He has been joined by a new Diplomatic Aide, one Seder Hallen, whose quiet, hesitant manner is deceptive. Told here is the story of how he came to be with Gath and how, like all that meet him, fell under the spell of this extraordinary man. It is from the land of Hordosland, Hallen's native land, that the Prince, before he lifts the coronet, is traveling is the cause that brings two of the Guard - Esen Qul and Fin ahr Pr Ren - to their Prince's feet...