Fourteen-year-old Gwena Trevelyan dreams of becoming a Veradin like her father, a diplomatic agent representing the Everus Empire in its provinces and beyond its borders. Her father opposes her goal, and wants her to stay safely in the capital city. When he is sent to investigate attacks along the border, she stows away on his mission, certain she can help.

    An impulsive adventure quickly turns dangerous amid sabotage of the mission, attacks by unknown creatures, and assassination attempts. Gwena’s emerging empathic powers become critical to the success of her father’s mission when they work together to uncover a conspiracy among the nomad clans and a menacing new enemy from across the plains. Gwena and her father flee pursuing warriors in a race to warn the empire that it faces invasion.

    When her father dies in a shipwreck before he can complete his mission, Gwena’s determination helps her survive and reach inhabited islands. In a desperate situation, Gwena makes a risky bid to summon a dragon from the empire to bring her home and warn her people.