 The spymaster of the Copper isles is a man called Topabaw, a cruel man who has become lazy as his reputation has grown.Aly soon destroys Topabaw's relationship with the regents through psychological warfare, and he is executed, to be replaced with a far more inexperienced man, Sevmire Ambau.She also faces opposition from Taybur Sibigat, captain of King Dunevon's personal guards, who is the first to realize that she is a spy.