Abigail Locke resents having to leave the fort at New Echota and travel to Raleigh, but she has no choice. Her father insists, and there's no way resisting will change his mind or help their already strained relationship. Then Abby learns a dishonorably discharged officer is to be her guide and the situation becomes yet more bleak—leaving Abby uncertain whether to trust a dishonored soldier, and as the journey progresses, even less sure of his ability to lead her and her companion to their destination.