A background novel for the world of the Imager Portfolio. SCHOLAR sends Quaeryt forth on a mission for his ruler, to learn to understand and improve Tilbor, a land conquered a decade ago and still not reconciled. Quaeryt has special tools for this mission. He can draw deep conclusions from his observations, and he is a hidden imager. While learning to use his own skills, Quaeryt develops a position in which he can build respect for scholars and imagers.

While Modesitt was interested in building Quaeryt into an interesting and admirable character, he was equally interested in studying the governing of a nation. This reduces the human interest of the novel.