Sydelle may look like a young twenty something, but don't let her age (or gender) fool you. She'll stab you in the back and demand a fee for making her expend the energy to do it. Beside her is a giant troll known as Grr. Strong, primal, and completely under the merchant's control, he lives to do her bidding. Her reputation in the Thieve's Haven (specifically a nasty part known as Darkside) instills fear in the populace.

Astrenose is a man on a mission. His master, a man he loved and respected like a father, was murdered by a demon. His only goal is to avenge his master's death. His dengen powers are as vast as his wealth. The only way to do so if to find a blood shard. So he is forced to go to Sydelle for help. For a price, of course.

Xotchum is a master mercenary. He spends his days making various wagons explode. The law enforcement are helpless to catch him. He ends up in a fight-to-the-death with an uppity outsider, only to be stopped by a curious woman. She then explains that, rather than let them kill each other, she'd like to hire him to help in recovering an object of no little wealth.

All three travel across Gallow's Sea in search of one object. An object that would doubtless bring wealth and glory beyond their wildest dreams. But when you make your living in the shadows, is glory really something you want to attain?