The academy as a whole is caught unawares but Khemri is doing extra drills as punishment for his demerits with Mekbi Troopers - the principal and pseudo-autonomous ground forces of the Empire. 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. As most of the cadets and officers at the academy are members, he becomes a target for pranks and demerits making his life there an effective hell.

Meanwhile, he refuses an offer from the Commandant of the base to join House Jerrazis, a middle tier House, or guild. The Priest receiving him oversees his access to the Mind, then tells him that he has been chosen by the Imperial Mind for a special task. Upon arriving, Prince Khemri enlists in the Imperial Navy. The prince is upset that in order to access the Conduit, he must first enlist in the Imperial Navy and tie himself down. The nearest conduit is on Kwanantil 9, a planet that is used as a training base by the Imperial Navy. Khemri and the Master of Assassins then set out for the nearest conduit to the Imperial Mind to make Khemri less vulnerable. The Imperial Mind is the supreme commander of the Empire, but it cannot see its subjects unless they link with it. The Master of Assassins 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. Khmeri believes he is destined for a life of luxury and freedom, however, within moments of leaving his home, he barely manages to survive several assassination attempts with the help of his first priest, called the Master of Assassins. The story introduces Khemri, a Prince, as he finishes his training and reaches adulthood.

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A confusion of princes