Margaret has taken up the mantle of master silicomancer from her mentor, Berzelius. Thanks to their discoveries, the kingdom of Carnelia has defanged the short-lived Omulek Empire and established dominion over most of the continent. But now Margaret must juggle further explorations into the enigmatic field of silicomancy, the edicts of the newly crowned Emperor Willem, and the machinations of the royal court. In the shadows, the Omuleks make scientific advances of their own, threatening to retaliate stronger than ever. Meanwhile, Captain Riebeck, hailed as a hero, struggles with his scars from the campaign against the Omuleks. The thief Fiora, imprisoned for her crimes against the crown, gets an unexpected shot at freedom. And three monks arrive from the distant Shen Monastery to assist Margaret with her research, though they may be concealing their true loyalties…