Hobart Floyt is a very minor Terran bureaucrat that suddenly finds that he has been left an inheritance by Caspahr Wier, known as Wier the Defender. Hobart is like all other Terrans, with a very strong phobia against offworlders.. His orders are to travel to Epiphany and pick up his inheritance. Earth Service has blackmailed a spacer named Alacrity Fitzhugh to be Hobart's bodygaurd / instructor for the journey and has placed mind conditioning on both.. Someone doesn't want Hobart to recieve his inheritance and there is a assasination attempt made before he leaves Terra. They meet Foragers, fight off another assasination attempt, and have encounters with aliens. When they get to Epiphany the fun really starts.

Hobart has his inheritance and has to make way to the planet where it is located. As usual, the trip won't be a straightforward one, Alacrity and Hobart are destined for trouble.. This the sequel to Requiem for A Ruler of Worlds.

Conclusion of the Alacrity Fitzhugh and Hobart Floyt adventures where Alacrity tries for control of the White Ship