All Calian Serratus wanted out of the winter retreat was some food, some quiet, and maybe make a few new friends while avoiding getting involved in politics.

All Aelia Ventarus wanted for the winter retreat was to be left alone with her thoughts, to work her way through her feelings and hopefully come through it with a clearer head.

Yet, the whims of chance have their own intentions and the two of them find their paths intertwining with not only each other's, but the paths of others. And both find themselves dealing with things they never wanted to deal with and facing challenges that they might not be prepared for. As the situation is pulled towards complications of a mystical nature, the two will have to find people they can trust - and each other - to succeed in their goals.