The Human Purity movement is growing in power and influence in Denning, attacking dwarf businesses and caravans and inciting popular rebellion against the central government, with the passive or active support of many of the ruling Golds. Opposing them almost alone is the Realmgold, a young man named Determined. His problem is that, even though the Realmgold is meant to be in charge, nobody is paying much attention to him. Victory, who rules neighbouring Koskant, would love to support Determined, but an ancient magical treaty between their realms means she can’t send in her troops, her skyboats or her pressure guns. What she can do, though, is share a new magical communications technology - and her elite corps of Gryphon Clerks...

Although Hope has been recognised at the highest level for her hard work and her magical talent, that doesn't help with her personal life. Not only is she struggling with the mystery of her distant, hostile mother, but her promising romance is complicated by a serious head injury - and an intimate curse dating back to her first relationship.