After Elin miraculously saves the ailing cub Leelan, enticing it to finally eat with a harp modified to sound like its mother, the faculty at the Kazalumu School are left with a stark choice. The matter is certainly important enough that the Yojeh would expect to be informed, but such a revelation would no doubt draw the wrong kind of interest-both in the exploitation of Royal Beasts, and in Elin's heritage as an Ahlyo. But as Elin continues to study and care for Leelan, unaware of the political storm her work is inviting, she will uncover far more explosive revelations-knowledge long ago buried and forbidden. Knowledge that might tie back to her mother.