The narrative involves characters who are either cunning or gullible with the former using their skills to manipulate the latter. However, this behavior is more of a way of life or code rather than a trait of immorality or corruption. Kushner reveals a stratified world where a council leads the state with the aristocrats living on the Hill and the lower classes in Riverside. The book is an example of a fantasy of manners due to the integration of a social structure where the people are pitted against each other within their community.
It is set in an unnamed city-state ruled by leaders seeking to deceive and scheme their way to the highest position of power. The Duchess has perfected the art of deception teaching the noble men she is involved with how to gain power. The people in power use the skillset of hired swordsmen to fight to the death in the honor of their respective houses. Lord Ferris wishes to remove the Crescent Chancellor from his position by killing him with the help of Richard. However, Richard’s partner Alec warns him against meddling in the power struggle between the noblemen. Meanwhile, a young swordsman Michael humiliates Lord Horn in public and subsequently, he hires Richard to kill the young man. When he refuses, the lord kidnaps Alec to blackmail Richard to take on the challenge which ends with the death of Applethrope and Lord Horn. Consequently, it is revealed that Alec is a noble man and the grandson of the Duchess, but he chooses love over power.
The protagonists and antagonists are members of the same society rather than from separate political entities. With the use of wit and trickery, the antagonists seek to steal power and keep it for themselves. Every individual in the narrative seems to participate in deception in one way or another except for Richard and Alec. Though Alec initially keeps his identity a secret he decides not to engage in the political schemes of the Duchess.
