Treachery runs deep on Aardnaar as the High Lords' fleet approaches. But across the eight corners of the known universe the Rösenbridge has taken the Guild's last hope of salvation to an unknown destination. But the mind of the old man has protected the lonely pioneers on their unforeseen journey and now they must find the secrets of the Orb on the planet that the ether has guided them to. On Arubisi the Orb Master has drawn a blank. Under the watchful suspicions of the High Lords and their agents he now finds himself pitted against the aspirations of power of Commodore Qataari and his wily psychic who knows more than she lets on. Time is short and only the first to find the secrets of the Orb may find the true power that hides behind the myths of the Shibboleth.