The Story of Gath and his friends continues but it is with Eckin where this begins as he seeks a new Captain for his flagship, and with man appointed, is carried to the land of Trenatia where he has been directed, by the Prince, to oversee the removal of the ruling Regent Safar and the Lord Advisor and to replace the; after but one Captain Shan-Bar of the local Garrison of the Princes Guard. Learn how Ill-noi, a native of Trenantia, becomes a Defender on the Estate; how he comes to it and what happens to him when he is there; and of Samlathi, a young of the village in Sorenilia, that he meets while on Eckins string and who is apprenticed to Eckin. Follow Gath and his friends as they travel to join the rest of the Princes Company and learn of the problems and griefs that come when they finally reach where they are camped; of the tragic happening that occurs after it is discovered that they must leave that camp quickly to avoid an inundation that threatens it and of the injury he sustains and the effect it has on Oda. While Gath is recovering Kort recalls his own past history and his involvement with Master Trader Soj Eckin - who has his own problems - and learn how he resolves them and how he caused Gath more grief.