Dagrun and Calder are leading the desperate mission to replenish the food stores of Tarklee before winter sets in. On the journey, they run into Calder's father, a man with many secrets and knowledge of the plots against the Fair Seas Treaty Alliance.

Meanwhile, Nadez assumes leadership of the remaining Intelligencers. Schemes against the Alliance are still in motion, and her small trusted cadre of Intelligencers are running ragged trying to protect the new Grand Freeholder.

But the forces united against the Alliance are deeply entrenched and have considerable power. To counter the threat, the Intelligencers must forge alliances of their own: with the countries of the Sapphire Seas, with their own citizens, and with each other.