In one sudden, violent stroke Verity's education in polite society and magic was interrupted, to be replaced by an education in the crude economics of piracy, power, and the political machinations brought to bear on those opposing the Malfaxian Empire.

Despite the change in teacher, Verity proves to be a diligent student with her life on the line. Guarded by the captain's daughter Tanya, she must use her wits to navigate life on a pirate ship in the sky. She will have to learn fast if she is going to survive becoming a chip in the games played between factions of the crew of pirates, the empire, and military officers more concerned with victory than her survival.