Princess Sun believes that it was her unparalleled command skills that allowed her to rout the Phene enemy. Her mother, Queen-Marshal Eirene, isn’t impressed; Sun has merely demonstrated a basic ability to follow orders. Too bad, because Sun is desperate for official recognition of her worth. Sun’s father is a Gatoi, a nomad of deep space and a barbarian in the eyes of Eirene’s people. Sun is half-Gatoi, which makes her an unpopular choice as official heir to the throne.
Sun has rivals, who are not content to wait for the Queen-Marshal to replace Sun as heir. It would be more efficient to simply murder Sun. The cunning plan fails. Time for plan B: frame Sun for treason.