Maida, Liandra, Gleve, Anglewart, Jessa and Melisande have each paid a terrible price in the quest for the secrets of the Dragon Priestesses, but key pieces have been recovered, a tiny flame of hope lit, a transformation begun. Although she has refused to leave her room at the Healing School for months, since she was confronted by Mothers Sarah and Tess, Mother Peg finds herself in the mainstream of history.

Maida and Jessa struggle with their responsibilities, their burdens made heavier by loss.

Maida faces a life-altering decision and Jessa must take leadership.

King Torrie and his army march against the Dragons; Maida, Liandra and Jessa are caught in the conflict.

Melisande keeps vigil at the bedside of her dying husband while Jessa faces the possibility of losing hers in the new war against the Dragons Torrie declared as soon as he became King.

Jessa finds love. Maida and Liandra find each other. Keiran travels to the Healer’s School where he triggers a conflict between Mother Peg and her oldest friends. King Anglewart and Torrie, his son and heir, face each other in single combat for the Kingdom.

Still unaware that the King’s men are closing in on her, Maida finally rebels against her fate and is offered an important role in the quest for the knowledge of the Dragon Priestesses. Jessa is married and Anglewart’s Heir challenges his father to fight to the death for the throne of the Westlands.

Gleve is a prisoner of the King and Liandra finds herself in the Dragon’s realm. Maida treats Keiran’s Dragon wounds, unaware that the King has sent men to find her.

There are two Dragon attacks, on Liandra and Keiran. Anglewart confronts Melisande; she has to guess how much he knows.

Jessa is taken prisoner by the King’s men, raising some questions for Anglewart. Mother Peg starts out on a journey to the Healing School, taking Liandra with her, leaving Maida to deal with the People’s belief that she is a Healer.