Troy and David, each now settled into a marriage, work the Union of Evolved Planets' assignments on Argel. Kyla runs from Crisiant to avoid the hurt caused by Prince Cymry, and the pressure from Asad'far. She is settled on the Owena compound, accepted as an honorary warrior woman. She is following her dream to educate the women of Argel and establishes her own family of misfits. Through her efforts, the Owena and the Ssh'fah women become a part of the Union's efforts to establish a port and to improve the desert people's lives. Avoiding the angry prince and the amorous Asad is complicated by the demands of the King and the Captain of the Adventurer. If forced to leave her school and meet those demands, her future will take a turn she thought could never happen. Will she chose duty over love?