Princess Ysthie was born to rule but there are two things in her way – firstly, she is a woman, and the patriarchal society of Eynhallow does not allow a Queen to rule alone. The other is that she can hear the dead speak, a secret that if discovered would cost her her life.

Suitors from surrounding kingdoms gather. The realm is on a knife-edge, and no suggestion of impropriety can be countenanced. It is decided that the princess must have a squire who will not cause rumour or scandal. For the first time in generations, Eynhallow is to allow a woman to become a squire.

And so one is found. Tavern brawler Stroma of Leet is unused to the machinations of court or chivalric behaviour, but has a burning passion to walk the Knight’s Path as her father once did. When given the opportunity to serve, she jumps at it. Ythsie resents her new keeper, certain that she is spying for her controlling mother.

But when suitors start to turn up dead, Ysthie and Stroma must form an alliance to discover the murderer before the whole region is destabilised. Neither of them are ready for they will face, nor the truths that will be unearthed.