Panic reigns in the capital of the Freyveling duchy. A mysterious murderer hunts women, deceiving the guards and leaving no traces or evidence. Kind townspeople tremble with fear in their homes and curse the authorities.
But the authorities have their own problems: the Ducal Council tries to decide whether Freyveling should join the Confederation, but without success. Another meeting is disrupted by a revolt raised by one of the provincial nobles. Or rather—not a revolt, but bravatt, an ancient noble custom meaning literally “the right to revolt.”
The northerners prepare for war with Freyveling; strange envoys arrive from the east; spies talk about ancient magic… And all of this, as always, against his will, pulls the owner of the inn “Old Horse,” Merino Lik, nicknamed the Righteous One. Who only wanted one thing—to publish a cookbook.