The final chapter where some ends get wound up, some things continue to the next book, and Aaron accepts his role as emperor of Chin.

In this episode Helmet's body is sent on its way just before Clack voiced his opinion to Aaron, along with a challenge to duel. Zisst falls apart while finally displaying its complete and true nature. Because the Clack issue is very close to Kim's heart, she steps in and takes over, much to everyone's chagrin.

In this episode Aaron and crew overhear some interesting talk among those who want Aaron dead. Later, Aaron has his own interesting talk, a last talk, with Helmet Klein, the former emperor of Chin. Oh yeah, Aaron and Melna share a kiss in front of...well...everybody.

In this episode we get to visit the Flintlow residence where David Flintlow deals with an unhappy wife after Jerry returns home, much the worse for wear. Aaron, tussels with his reluctance to rule, meets a god, and makes a decision. Back at the Flintlows, David discovers his remaining family is not so much under his thumb as he thought.

In this episode Jerry Flintlow goes for a ride to Londonary, bringing Vel, a couple bottles of wine, and a bag of money with him.  While in Londonary he meets the conspiritors and also a fellow by the name of Aaron Turner. Neither meeting goes well for at least some people. Meanwhile, in the cave, Autumn gets a religious lesson from Seeker not long before Swiftstrike has an unwelcome visitor of her own.

In this episode Autumn gets company in her cave. Meanwhile, back at the manor, Aaron reads an interesting letter which sends him to Londonary on a hunt for his daughter.

In this episode Melna cleans up, has an unexpected but welcome visitor, and goes to dinner with the emperor and then entire Chin contingent.  While there, Kline gives her something of a shock.

David and Jerry Flintlow agree that the kidnappers must die so no connection exists leading to them. They also agree that in order to cool the investigation into their bank, Amel, Jerry’s sister and David’s daughter, must die after writing a confession. Jerry will do the killing. Meanwhile, Julia Tremont, a child and friend of Autumn, brings Aarons pet, Zisst, back to the manor. Along with Zisst she brings news of an overheard conversation which may indicate Autumn was taken to a different city by disgruntled taxi drivers who had been put out of business by Aaron’s runabouts. Most of the adults are doubtful, but Kim leaves to investigate. That night Missy comes to Aaron’s room, offering herself to him. Though tempted, Aaron turns the offer down, but not until after they do a bit of personal stuff. Missy is not upset. Instead, she asks Aaron what the difference is between what he just did, and what Melna did earlier with Clack and Johnston.

At the conference, Melna discovers Aaron spent a fortune on clothes and jewelry for her. When attending the conference, Melna sits with Klein, and near Bill Clack. Conference over, Clack confronts her, offering threats. Afterward, Aybarra informs Melna Klein wants to speak to her over dinner. Back in her rooms, Melna gets unwelcome visitors who also make threats. When one of them tries to steal some of the jewelry, her fingers are sliced off by one of the two guards Aaron sent along with Melna. Pulling a gun, Melna chases the others out of the room after making them collect the dismembered fingers.

The hunt continues. Aaron is in angry mode. He informs Melna that he will be sending her back to Chin to act as his representative at the conference. Missy, using her empathic Talent, pulls Kim to her and begins Kims healing from her years of emotional and physical abuse. Meanwhile the Flintlow household is in turmoil as David Flintlow takes his wife and children to task for the clumsy kidnapping and the resultant turmoil. His wife, Gwenn, and his son, Jerry, plot against David. Meanwhile Autumn, now entrapped and chained within a cave, encounters her main guard, an assassin named Swiftstrike. Outside the cave the kidnappers make plans of their own that go against the Flintlows original orders. They write their own ransom note. Back in Aaron’s manor Aaron sends Melna back to the convention, also sending with her several items he purchased to increase her standing. They acknowledge they do not love one another, but they do share a goodbye kiss.

Aaron and crew return to Jutland to discover chaos in his home. Many of his servants have been murdered. Autumn is kidnapped and Harvest Patton is gravely injured. Following orders, Aaron shuts down his runabout factory, but he also sets events in motion by hiring detectives and paying the local guard overtime to chase down clues. His factory workers hit the streets, closing in on the Flintlows but finding and proving nothing. Meanwhile, with her abductors, Autumn schemes, using every bit of her uncooperative precognitive Talent. When the kidnappers bicker, she throws in the exact right comment at the exact right time.