Penric's on an exploratory mission from the Duke of Adria, to a general in Cedonia. Turns out the letter the duke was not from the general, and Penric, carrying it, is denounced as a spy by another passenger, and tossed in an oubliette known as a bottle dungeon. That's just the first chapter. How he escapes, and falls into company with the general and his sister/twin-by-a-different-mother, and their mutual adventures thereafter is for you to read. Penric finds himself interested in her, and she in his demon collective, Desdemona. This is someone willing to see all of Penric, inside and out. One reader compares Penric to Lord Peter Wimsey, with regard to his interest in Harriet Vane. I tend to agree, as an HV myself. There are some beautifully poetic descriptions of scenery which allowed me to see what the characters saw. Wish I'd been there to see them. Please be aware that there is a serious next-story hook right at the end--surely The Author won't drop us there with no follow-through on a Major Development? I really enjoyed this story, and hope there will be at least one contiguous one to follow.