Summary

The novel opens with a map of the characters' world and a list of the most important kingdoms and rulers. There is a one-page letter from Elysabeth Victoria Mortimer Llewellyn, also called Evie, who is the Queen of Atabyrion. For the purpose of clarity, she is called Evie throughout this guide, except in direct quotes. She thanks Owen Kiskaddon for letting her know that her grandfather, Stiev Horwath, is ill. She hopes that their situation will not be awkward and wishes her children could have gotten to know Horwath.

In Chapter 1, Owen is traveling to Dundrennan, located in the duchy of North Cumbria, where Horwath is dying. Owen knows Evie is there, but it still hurts to see her. She is happily married with two children. Owen has “not even tried” (3) to build a life for himself. Owen makes a rude comment...