The people of Pandura are facing a slow and comfortable demise, as more and more vanish without a trace. The story is about willpower and the courage needed to survive.

Sir Donovan Waltham, a celebrated anthropologist from the powerful and wealthy nation of Thanakar, receives a job offer from the Queen of a secluded island nation in the far South to investigate a population loss. Due to a lack of funding, and perhaps some irresponsible living on his previous fame,  he is out of work and accepts the offer. Perhaps looking for a chance to benefit more than just himself or academia with his career. But what awaits him is a society not ready to welcome him, nor trust him. The island's people are vanishing. In his scientific mind, he must find a concrete reason, but the mystery keeps getting darker and more mysterious. 

The Lieutenant is one of six who serve in the command of General Saluda as officers of Pandura's island military and peace force, overcoming targeted harassment and challenges to get to where she is, and serve with honor. She is assigned to Sir Waltham as his guide and handler, ordered to help him, and also keep him from causing trouble. In her mind, the dangers of the island are taboo, and that means as a loyal officer of the state, she doesn't think about it. But she has seen it herself, and she knows something is very wrong. Despite the frustrating cultural mannerisms of their guest, he might just bring something to the island, and to her, she never knew they needed so badly. Maybe together, they can actually do something to change fate.

Being a prince has it's perks, except on Pandura where you're the suppressed forgotten child of the Queen. Prince Alangrath has two identities though. Dainty palace wallflower during the day but owner/operator of an illegal tavern at night. Truth be told, the Prince just wants a place where the men can be themselves, but how long will it last? Sir Waltham brings with him a vision of manhood that is respectful, unlike their lost identity in Pandura, but far more sophisticated than the likes of blokes from Arduvan that Alangrath detests. Sir Waltham is a welcome guest to the island, but will his investigation uncover more than they bargained for and put them all at risk? Who knows? But regardless, the Prince finds him a breath of fresh air.  

Ruling Pandura takes patience and tact, as well as a civility only brought about by absolute control at every level of society, and having the right people in power. Isuna knows that an unruly society creates trouble, and trouble is how people get hurt. In that regard, she has no tolerance for recklessness, and if you leave danger alone, it will leave you alone. Finally waking up to the fate of the island her predecessors failed to see, she is determined to clamp down on the unruly pieces of their society putting them in danger, as well as broaden the ranks of Panu's privileged and sophisticated aristocracy.  In that regard, she is hoping Sir Waltham will help her get to the bottom of this, so she might effectively manage threats to the people, both seen and unseen.

Nidani is the only Lieutenant assigned solely to safety and security for cities outside of the capital city of Panu, her district nestled in the northern forests of Asmi and Renis. But the northern shoreline is not the posh lifestyle of Panu. There are dangers there the city people have no concept of. Having grown up witnessing a savage tragedy very close to the heart, Nidani is anything but complicit. Safety and comfort are how you end up dead, and though she is socially refined and cunning, inside Nidani resides a special kind of crazy she relies on to protect her troops and citizens. At least for now. If things continue for Asmi and Renis as they are, none of them will be around much longer.

Agarth is foreman of building projects in Mathuto. At least on paper. He may have a few other roles the Queen might disapprove of if she knew. Life is very different on the "untamed" side of the island. The lush lifestyle of Panu, it is not. But there is one major perk to living out  there that Sir Waltham may find intriguing. Serious, hearty, and intelligent, Agarth's position has him riding the line between two very different worlds, and trying to stay one step ahead of the many dangers they face. For Agarth, danger isn't something to run from, but something to meet head on. But is his strategy smart or wreckless? Time may tell.

Lieutenant Cassana is Pandura's least tenured Lieutenant. She also happens to be Meida's very best friend. Through thick and thin, they've suffered together, grown their careers together, and held each other up as companions in a society where family is what you make of it. Cassana may have a lassez-faire take to her commands, but she's strict with her troops, and believes in how things are being done. But what would happen if her companion decided things needed to change? Especially things taboo. Something will have to break, either their friendship, or maybe even  her loyalty to the throne.

Kado is a fisherman by trade. Old and weathered, he has lived in Panu all his life. He has also lived long enough to lose both his son, and granddaughter. Having long outlived the estranged Mistress who had a child with him, Kado finds his life lonely. That is until Alangrath recruits him to help build his underground society of displaced men. Kado is right in line with everything the Prince wants to accomplish, even if he is a soft and weary soul who lacks confidence. But when Sir Waltham shows up, Kado sees a glimmer of hope he'll be able to find his son alive somehow. Is it possible? Or will where Sir Waltham has to go to even begin, be far too dangerous, even for him? Regardless, Kado is loyal to Alangrath to a fault, and will do anything to keep the Island's people from vanishing like they are, and spare others the same fate as his son and granddaughter.

Trate is a guardsman and hunter in Mathuto. A confident and assertive boy who has a problem with authority, he causes Agarth more than a few headaches. But one thing he has  no problems with is fear. In fact, the realization that there is a very real monster on the island, the sort the locals call ghosts or devil spirits, strikes even Sir Waltham, but it doesn't bother Trate. In fact, the lad is certain he even killed one, though few beleive him. But what might seem a tall tale may actually have truth to it, and it doesn't keep him from inspiring others to confront their fear, such as Private Navina, Meida and Sir Waltham's guide on their journey to the East. Maybe Trate's biggest contribution isn't his bow or his hunt, but his intrepid courage the island seems to lack.

Sili is one of Nidani's three Assistant Lieutenants. She is also "thick-headed" and has a penchant for sniffing out danger. She happens to be an old acquaintance of Meida's, but she's also not remembered too fondly. The fact is, Sili's abrasive and unsophisticated attitude goes right along with Nidani's disregard for authority, something that Meida finds herself having to address very quickly. Sili is a fighter, and a survivor. If she's on your side, that might be a huge blessing, but if she's not...well, watch what you say around her. Sili has a habit of telling juicy stories, and often to the right ears.

The Terrible Tezar. In the old tongue it means "one who rends asunder." Tezar has a terrifying reputation as one of the most dangerous, and lethal officers in the fleet of the pirate king, Calad, seemingly mild and sophisticated on the surface, but possessing a special  madness capable of savagery. He is relied upon by Calad as a xebec captain to spearhead attacks with a swift brutality that has characterized his determination to come out on top of Arduvan's three way civil war. But Tezar may have connections to Pandura, and when Sir Waltham finds himself down to his last resort, Tezar may be a godsend, or he may be his demise. Either way, Tezar has an eye on Pandura.

Saluda has been the Island's top military official for roughly 6 years. In that time she has impressed the Queen and the aristocracy with her sophistication and ability to dance around the delicate demands of Panu's culture and power structures. She has also pulled Meida up from the ground with her, protecting her in some very difficult situations. But despite being an extraordinary diplomat, in the shadows the General is more than it appears. She's far sharpers and more cunning than she let's on.  Someone has been pulling strings behind the scenes. Is it her? Meida may come to a point where she must question her loyalty to her mentor and leader. 

Aner is the chieftain of Mathuto, the largest city and sociopolitical center for the Eastern "untamed" side of the island. Although the "woodsmen" are often thought of as uncivil rogues by Panu, he values a careful balance of strength and civility. In that regard, he has welcomed many influences from Panu, but he pushes back where he feels it is important, careful not to "stir the pot." But when something happens that may push Aner off the fence to one side, there is no doubt which side he'll land on, and it could mean a steep and costly conflict that catches both Meida and Donovan in its cross-hairs. 

Lieutenant Meida has one great rival, a woman that has incessantly harassed her and used her position to try and torpedo her career. That woman is Lieutenant Chiunda. Chiunda has clawed her way up the ladder of military command on the backs of some mysterious personnel losses. Both careers and lives. Among her many victims was supposed to be Meida and Cassana. But Saluda's crafty intervention spared them. Chiunda has schemed her way into the Queen's inner circle of trust as well, making for a dangerous situation. Meida is convinced that if anything were to happen to Saluda, she might be done for. Regardless, Meida suspects Chiunda, and knows for a fact she can't be trusted. 

Meida and Donovan find out pretty quick that Private Navina doesn't say much. Her and Assistant Lieutenant Sili are hand-picked by Lieutenant Nidani to guide them through the untamed parts of the island. Both have seen horrors in the deep forests, but Navina's experience  seems uniquely to have left a permanent scar. The ghosts she witnessed continue to live on in her young mind, tormenting her, even as she courageously faces them. But there are others who have also seen the ghosts she has, and survived the terror, like Trate. Will something help Navina live beyond that memory, or will she end up being destroyed by the island, like so many others?