Under the careful guidance of the catlike mrem, the city of Niau has grown into a prosperous trading center. It lies, however, far to the east—on the very edge of the kingdom of Ar—ever vulnerable to invasion by the mrem's legendary enemies, the Eastern Lords. Ordered to guard Niau from an attack that may never come, the mercenary Reswen—a veteran of the great battle at Cragsclaw—accepts his king's will. Working undercover, he rises to become chief of the secret police, aware of all the city's intrigues. When a group of mysterious merchants arrives bearing gifts and hoping to strike a trade agreement, Reswen has his suspicions. Before it's too late, he must discover the truth behind the visitors' smiles, and allies himself with a beautiful courtesan-spy and a wayward wizard...whose rusty spells may be Niau's only defense against the sinister sorcery of the all-powerful Eastern Lords.