Two young cousins, Paulo and Ro'ber Deroy, travel to the Duchy of Afathir seeking employment. They find a territory seething with political unrest, and the threat of civil war results in an upsurge of military recruitment. The cousins join the army as scouts, and their squad is soon heading south to investigate loss of contact with a settlement on the Duchy's border. On the way they meet up with the enigmatic white-haired woman, Swonfleet. Together, the woman and her new comrades find themselves drawn into intrigue and mystery as the Duchy spirals ever nearer to war. As the armies gather, and spies abound, the group find themselves enlisting with the Blue Cobra's, Afathir's intelligence service.