"Sporadic clan incursions into Inner Sphere territory supply mercenaries like the Kell Hounds with more work than they can handle... border raids sharply divide the Federated Commonwealth's political factions, bringing further instability to the realm standing between Clan's goals and anarchy. And while secret ambitions drive plans to rip the Commonwealth apart, Khan Phelan Ward and Orince Victor Davion -- cousins, rulers, and enemies -- must decide if maintaining the peace justifies the actions they will take to preserve it."--Back cover.