Two foreigners, Sasha Sagan and Diego Vega, arrive by boat to the city of Nuln in the Empire, seeking adventure and wealth. After difficulty finding a place to stay, as well as trouble with thugs and thieves, the kossar and the diestro finally get an opportunity to fulfill both objectives. Councillor Oldenhaller will pay them handsomely to fetch a jewel rumored to have a dark history, now thought to be in the possession of a local gang leader.