We are introduced to Melna Linley, a young man-hungry and headstrong woman, daughter of a merchant industrialist who is intent on marrying her off soon. For her part, Melna does not approve of her father's choices. They are too old and have too many wives. We next move to Kim, a younger woman of seventeen who is anything but hungry for a man. In fact, almost every emotion except cold fury and hate have been burned out of her by the assassin's guild. She has been in their care for the last seven years, placed there by her father.