Ariston was once a Guardian of the Kalliopolis, a perfect city designed according to the instructions of the Philosophers--Philosophers who, in their wisdom, found the human Guardians of Ariston's generation imperfect and replaced them with warrior machines with engines for minds. Phaleas Peneste, a poor farmer's orphan the new Guardians rescued from the devastating winter that killed his family, now serves as a mechanic and servant to them. Unhappy with their positions in the Kalliopolis's new order, each man decides to escape, a coincidence that leads to their first meeting. Afraid to risk his life in the wilderness beyond the Kalliopolis, Phaleas hesitates and is recaptured by the Guardians while Ariston discovers he doesn't have anywhere to run. Back inside, drawn by their shared resistance, the two begin a secret affair. Phaleas hopes that together, they might give each other the strength to escape the Kalliopolis forever... but first he has to convince Ariston to try again.