The enemy trap is set. Myrrghin High Inquisitor Zaraxan's steam battleship reaches Rogha. Lerant contacts a hostile and suspicious Gerion who believes him to be a Human-Seeker. An injured M'Connor and his friends must soon leave their hiding place to reach the waiting Talae ship. The Sunburst Sword is lost. Seekers close in on 'The Seedling.' Bren's soul is found, buried in methirri, and appears to be permanently ensnared. Will Lerant choose to desert his command and stand with m'Connor to achieve a rescue? Can Annalie Hollin reconcile herself to her dead husband's ghostly presence? Rhyssa Avenalkah continues her work training an underwater team to attack the enemy fleet.

McDermott argues that the novels of the 18th century should be seen as part of an age-old European tradition going back to Homer rather than as a unique English event. He examines European fictional narratives and romance and their influence on authors such as Richardson and Fielding.