 When a merchant ship from Pandahem is captured Prescot learns that Vitridia, the female pirate he once served with in Swordships of Scorpio is still alive and active but that the fight against Hamal is becoming ever more desperate.Prescot and the Emperor raise an army of 15,000 as an assistance force to help the nations of Pandahem.He parts from Delia, now pregnant with their second set of twins and heads for Tomboram to assist Kov Pando.