When an airship crashes under mysterious circumstances, the Magebreakers find themselves embroiled in an investigation that takes them across the Audish Channel to foreign shores. In Belgrier, many blame Audish sabotage for the accident, and for the death of the influential nobleman on board-a dear friend of the Belgrian Kaiser. And if Tane and Kadka can't prove otherwise, it could become a diplomatic catastrophe.

But the suspicion of a government that views all Audlanders as dangerous pro-magical radicals isn't the Magebreakers' greatest concern. Nor is the constant obstruction of the Belgrian Guardswoman assigned to supervise them. It's the possibility that an outside hand is influencing events-an enemy they've encountered before.

Endo Stooke.

And if the would-be emperor gets his way, it's going to mean war.