Prince Roland - the Childe Roland, Heir to the Imperial Throne - grew up in a gilded cage, surrounded by men who wanted to use his powers while keeping him under tight control. He was growing into a petty sadistic brat until a Marine Pathfinder took him in hand, helping him to overcome his caretakers - jailers - and make something of himself. But it was too late for Earth and, as the planet collapsed into chaos, Roland and his mentor barely escaped before it was too late. He was taken into the care of the Marine Corps and given a chance to go to Boot Camp and forge a new life.

But now, unsure what to do with him, his superiors set him a task. Roland has to take command of a training mission and travel to New Doncaster, a planet on the verge of exploding into civil war. His mission is to build an army and stabilise the situation as quickly as possible ...

... But, for an untried prince in a snake pit, facing enemies on both sides of the war, it will be far from easy ...