Jesavhina Tal Seri is an operative for The Tallerean Guild, a quasi-legal organisation which provides covert operations for those of the Essetrian aristocracy and merchant class who are wealthy enough to afford their services. When she fails to retrieve an allegedly stolen item, an ancient artefact of unknown significance from the long dead Issaran civilisation, she is ordered to track the raiders who have taken it, at the risk of her career if she fails. In the process, she uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy and the true reasons behind her assignment, causing her to question her convictions and loyalties.