The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metalminds once owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they truly exist, but now a kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict
the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Plus another image that shocks Waxillium Ladrian: a photo of his sister, Telsin, being held captive by his uncle, a leader of the shadowy organization known as the Set.

Wax travels south to the city of New Seran to investigate, along with his partner, Wayne, the brilliant Marasi, and the ethically flexible kandra MeLaan. On their journey they find the Set has discovered the wreckage of a mysterious ship miles from any water, and hold prisoner a masked survivor who barely speaks the language. His people and the Set are also hunting the Bands—can they be located before they fall into the wrong hands?