The book is deal for relaxation and entertainment. The story begins when Davik, a mid-rank officer in the army, is assigned to follow a new commander on a mission to stop border raiders. Davik's secret orders are to turn Tiegen, a scholarly young prince and third son of the Sirrac of Arven, into a dependable soldier and leader. Watch through Davik's eyes as Tiegen struggles to learn and grow. Later in time, a foreign invasion of Warflings sends Liera, the daughter of a provincial lord, on a straightforward mission to fetch help. She finds that nothing is as she expected, no one is who they seem, and her people's historic enemy is the friendliest face around. To protect herself, her family, and the people of her province, Liera must leave all that is comfortable and familiar and accompany Tiegen into a new life in an alien world.