The Kingdom.Once a significant midwestern city on Earth-That-Was, but no more. A series of hard-won baronies built in its place, The Kingdom stands as one of the last vestiges of humanity. Cicero is in the barony of Renaissance in her capacity as a Bard-peacekeeper, lawmaker, and beyond. Criminal activity has been showing an uptick in frequency throughout The Known Lands, and the Bards, in response, are trying to increase their recruitment numbers. Banesska's Traveling Game-a wandering holdover from Earth-That-Was-equal parts circus, professional sports tournament, and county fair, is playing consort to Cicero as she travels. After an accident at an underground site, Wade Batalon, a young Digger, has a mysterious encounter. Meanwhile, Kendra Lawden and her best friend, Sepia de Winter, get wrapped up in the machinations of a crime lord within The Kingdom and zealous raiders without. Cicero tries to maintain order and unite the baronies to a common cause, but how much can one Bard take?