A Confusion of Princes
The novel takes place in an intergalactic empire, run by an aristocracy of highly trained and telepathic individuals called princes.The Master of Assassins, named Haddad, tells him that he is in grave danger because princes are vulnerable to true death before they are able to link in to the Imperial Mind.Just as Khemri is prepared to beg the Commandant for another chance to join the House, the academy are attacked by a small Sad-Eye raiding party.The academy as a whole is caught unawares but Khemri is doing extra drills as punishment for his demerits with Mekbi Troopers, modified humanoid soldiers treated as disposable.Despite this, it becomes clear to House Jerrazis that Khemri killed him; as a result, when his first year at the academy is over and he is eligible for duels, the Imperial Mind immediately transfers him to a supply station far away from the Empire.He is then given a choice; either he can go through the test to become an Adjuster, or he can remain at the supply station, in which case he will be immediately assassinated by House Jerrazis.Though initially his Princely arrogance causes him to be hunted down in several of the environments, he passes the training and moves on to the real test; he is sent out to a far away system, on Fringe space as a normal, unarmed, human.she says that an Imperial ship, led by a Prince (later revealed to be Atalin, working for House Jerrazis) attacked the peaceful KSF, just as they had 9 years ago.Houses are groups of Princes – ranging in size from a few dozen to tens of thousands – who function, effectively, as a support system for one another.