Nebyi, trader of the veiled people, has made the hazardous journey to see his friend and trading partner, Raushan, in the City of Dark Gold. Raushan is the heir to an old, aristocratic house, and is a good-natured, if self-indulgent, friend who likes studying magic, making money in the gem trade, and having lots of sex. Raushan believes Nebyi can help him with two of these three hobbies, but Nebyi¿s veils ¿ and the taboos they represent ¿ have nixed the sex, if not the trading, during Nebyi¿s past trips. But neither of them can know that this trip will demand trades that require exploring all of Raushan¿s interests, ones with surprising results for more than just Nebyi.