Owen Deathstalker enters the saga as a pampered aristocrat and amateur historian, Lord of the agricultural planet Virimonde. After being outlawed by Empress Lionstone with no reason or charges given, he flees Virimonde in the company of Hazel d'Ark, a clonelegger and pirate. They set out for Mistworld, looking for answers and allies in a universe that suddenly makes no sense at all. Only one thing is certain: in order for Owen to live, the Empire has to fall.