Unexpected friends and enemies are pitted against each other in a war that spans planets and races—a war that threatens to bring interstellar violence to the very surface of fabled Liad. Val Con yos'Phelium—a Scout, former Agent of Change, husband, brother to Turtles, and designated heir to Clan Korval's fortune and mission– whether you considered him respectable or not, no one would call him a gambling man. When he reappears demanding Balance and retribution, on his capable shoulders rests the fate of his Clan, his world, and his civilization . . . Pat Rin yos'Phelium—fond father, bon vivant, ne'er-do-well . . . and a risk taker. The enemies of Korval have offered Pat Rin the Ring that would make all of Korval's holdings his own and a Juntavas Judge has offered Pat Rin a world. When he appears with hired guns in tow no one is expecting him and no one knows what he'll do. For you see, Pat Rin is a gambling man.