The book begins with the invasion of unknown aliens who, after a brutally efficient battle, take with them a prisoner: Commander Pheylan Cavanagh.

Meanwhile, his former captor Thrr-gilag struggles with the disgrace of permitting Cavanagh's escape; and gradually comes to believe that his own people are weakened by their customs.

It is herein revealed that the Zhirrzh preserve the psyches of their dead as holographic 'Elders', and that the injury done to these by radio transmission, has provoked most of their interstellar wars.

Conquerors' Legacy, published in 1996, is the third installment of the trilogy, and is told from multiple viewpoints.

In the novel, Lord Stewart Cavanagh looks for a defense against the Zhirrzh race's planned attack.