Marheh has been found guilty of using her mental ability for the purposes of exploitation and now faces a choice of harsh and unpalatable punishments. She knows she has enemies, but who are they, and how have they infiltrated the Silberay to cause her such injustice? She and Nemle, her mentor and friend, face grave dangers attempting to discover the answers to these questions, but they must proceed if they are to clear Marheh's name and to allow them both to continue to live and work on the Water Road.