This book takes place concurrently with Tarashana.

While Aras and Ryo are striking off into the Winter Country, we're left at home with the developing assassination attempt aftermath. Esau, one of Aras's men, is sent off on a confidential mission which he thinks will be pretty simple. It turns out to be a complete shenanigan from start to finish.

In addition, it's told half in the current time and half in flashbacks. Esau's present-day mission is the covert extraction of a woman from a dangerous situation, which is complicated when she decides to be uncooperative with her rescue. It's pretty fun, I have to admit. In the flashbacks, we see Lalani's introduction to the talon as a 17yo talon wife (Yikes!!!!!! This is creepy and gross, but the Lau don't think so and it is not presented that way in the story.) and Esau's development from a regular soldier into a man known for pulling success out of odd situations and impossible missions.

There are zero Ugaro in this story, so as you can imagine there is a lot less extremely serious negotiation of customs and cultural mores. Esau is a much more fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants type of guy. It is enjoyable to see how the soldiers relate to each other, and Esau's role as Shenanigans McGee certainly doesn't leave any time for getting bored. Overall, this kept my attention the whole time and the resolution was surprisingly wholesome.