As the eldest child of the Lord-Protector of Lanachrona, Mykella has so far avoided an arranged and distasteful marriage by helping oversee her father’s treasury. After she discovers funds being siphoned off, she is visited by a soarer — one of the ancients of the land — who directs her to an ancient stone table in the depths of the palace. She attempts to learn the Table’s secrets and to discover hard evidence as to who is behind the thefts, because her father will only accept what can be proved. In doing so, she discovers a plot against her father and her entire family. Yet whatever she attempts to do ends up making the situation worse, as the deaths, poisonings, and machinations increase.