Alden Fairwood, son of a noble duke of the planetary empire of Umbralumara, has grown up among the shadows and secrets of the bustling trade city of Marlugrathara and the nearby Veilwood Shroud. As tensions rise with the arrival of a Galactic Council envoy and a patition for their world to join the Council, Alden senses that his quiet life is about to unravel. Whispers of new alliances and dangerous ambitions hum through the air, and hidden powers stir.