As danger increases in the County in the form of press gangers and the Fiend, Tom is sent by his master to another Spook, Bill Arkwright. Bill lives in the far north where the County is at its wettest. He has toughened up many previous apprentices and now he will do the same for Tom; he will prepare him for some of the biggest dangers of his life. But Bill Arkwright isn't like Tom's old master and life under him proves to be harsh and perilous.