• cutting edge technology is wind and steam power.
• Women's liberation means a woman dressed in man's clothing is tolerated, and hardly ever beaten.
• Successful trade routes and trade languages mean that there is little use for large armies,
• and even a large trade city like Praha has fewer than 300 militia and guardsmen.
• Charismatic Kings, Generals and Pundits who want more, wealthy governors and trades-masters who take sides, and even a few armies that recruit by force.

Istvan Goldenwolf was raised by the Magyar, horseman-warriors of the Hills and Plains, but he always knew he was a foundling. He could master the fighting-arts of his adopted people, but they would never be his people in his heart. The Goldenwolf medallion that was his birthright called to him, and the Vienese army would give him pay and travel. But something happened when he saw the killing on the front line. This was not defense, this was not right. His masters chose their targets for the sake of goods. This greed and slaughter would not lead to greatness, and Istvan needs to find a way to leave the army without anyone else being punished for his actions.

Istvan finds his chance during the invasion of Praha. The city burns and Riza Paprikosh uses the confusion to hurl herself onto the back of the Istvan's horse with all the strength her small, wiry body can muster: her goal the sack of coins tied to Istvan's waist. Xandar, a womanizing poet and mage from the far islands of Britannia, uses the city's alarm to escape from the mayor's sister, Lady Maryam, who wishes to ensnare him in marriage. Xandar slips out a window and lands in an alleyway where Istvan has turned his horse in an attempt to shake off the irritation on his backside (Riza). City guardsmen close in on Istvan as his horse rears in front of Xandar. Istvan and Riza are thrown to the ground and the three flee together from the city guardsmen...