Thracius "Tracy" Belmanor and the Infanta Mercedes have graduated and become officers in the Orden de la Estrella. Tracy's posting leads him to doubt the intentions of the League, when he is required to "assimilate" a Hidden World. Meanwhile, Mercedes' own posting--and her difficult marriage to "Boho" Cullen--divides her loyalties. In a society where most humans and all aliens are second-class citizens, the two young officers will have difficult choices to make...