Ranger Kim Wilson of the Interstellar Alliance has two challenges: help defeat immortal warlord Nod Rangum, and stop cringing every time someone says 'my lord'.

SYNOPSIS:

Aristocracy is not an accepted phenomenon in the Interstellar Alliance, nor in most of its neighbors. Kim Wilson, a Ranger working for civil order and the common defense, is moderately, but significantly, uncomfortable with the very idea of someone being 'high-born'. Unfortunately, she's just staggered away from a landing in San Rangoon, a collection of polities that barely shies away from the divine right of kings.

Complicating matters, of course, is that her journey through their star system intersected with a ritual being performed by continental warlord Nod Rangum. He hoped to shift the balance of power, begin a final push for hegemony and complete domination. Instead, he's on the back foot—temporarily.

Ranger Wilson manages to avoid being called a 'lady' upon arrival in the quasi-capital of Everton, but their system of titles still grates upon her. Initially, she's a guest, allowing the matter to be graciously overlooked on both sides. She transitions into being an advisor for the renewing alliance, as their intelligence reports uncover Rangum's weakness, and her competence similarly impedes a confrontation on the matter.

How long that lasts, and the friction she cannot help but create, may be pivotal factors in the brewing war. Fighting Nod Rangum is everyone's top priority, but Wilson remains a square peg in a round social hole.