Just how far will a landscape magic go to get what it wants?
The North has kneeled in submission to the throne, and with them come some two thousand warriors for the palace's army.
That is, if Aren can rally the warriors to her.
Aren must perform a calling, like queens of old once did before they went to war.
She heads north with Av, determined to do what is necessary to retain what little control she still has over her land and her life.
However, there is a small, vocal minority at Castle Grey determined to do anything they can to keep the North free and independent.
As the pair leave for their visit, Ervam tasks Jer with visiting the Bilgern Vineyard. On the surface, the tour is to take stock of the land and create a plan to protect the estate until the heir comes of age.
While there, he discovers unfortunate truths they had hoped were nothing more than rumour.
And then he finds something none of them thought possible.