Nik the smuggler may have wanted to uphold his honor, but King Regal's guards can't wait to capture FitzChivalry. Crossing the river is treacherous in more ways than one, and Fitz and Starling are hauled before Burl. He is captured and, he is in the hands of the cruel coterie, once again. Guilt ridden and blaming himself for what is happening, with his companion Nighteyes barely surviving a swim, Fitz is facing difficult odds.