When Prince Tolké is in danger of being passed over in favor of a more responsible heir to the throne, he makes a deal with a captain who is new to the city; the prince will use his influence to aid Captain Droln on his path to knighthood in exchange for advice in gaining respectability in the king's eyes. They only ever intended to become friends...

Meanwhile, an ambitious young woman named Alís leaves her home village behind for a chance at a new life. Seeking the help of a matchmaker, she hopes to get her foot in the door of high society, in order to eventually secure a position in government for the sake of other ordinary folks.

Good Brother Abros, a star reader and successor to the Holy Emperor, begins to suspect that his Imperial Holiness has been hiding the truth about his encounters in the Celestial Temple. As the only mortal permitted to directly meet with the gods in such a sacred place, the Holy Emperor's word is law, but the stars have revealed his lies to Abros.

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This is the first volume of four of a medium-slow burn fantasy saga that takes place across the span of 10 years. Includes some magic, lots of mythos (especially in subsequent volumes), fights for power, romance and other social storylines. Character arcs trend toward corruption and a loss of morals, but the overall tone is optimistic.