The excerpts chronicle the experiences of Murgen, Standardbearer of the Black Company, as he records the ongoing Annals following the death of Croaker, detailing the company's precarious situation defending the besieged city of Dejagore against the forces of the Shadowmasters and their leader, Shadowspinner. The narrative focuses heavily on the internal strife within the Black Company, particularly the division between the Old Crew and the faction led by the rigidly martial Mogaba, while also charting the uneasy alliances with local groups like the Nyueng Bao. Murgen’s account is punctuated by mysterious time displacement spells that thrust him into the past and future, providing glimpses of former allies like Croaker and Lady, revealing ongoing magical and political intrigue including the threat posed by the goddess Kina and the actions of the sorcerer Longshadow, and ultimately depicting the devastating loss of Murgen’s wife, Sahra, and the continuing war against dark powers.
