This is a book of change. The Clan k'Sheyna was successfully moved to its new Vale and Darkwind, Elspeth, Firesong, the 2 gryphons and their children head for Valdemar. There, the evil mage Ancar is threatening to attack because the "borders" protecting Valdemar were brought down by an OLD friend. (Find out who that is by reading). Ancar, who is only a half-trained Master at best, decided to be stupid and try a Gate spell, one which only Adepts can control. During this spell, he managed not to kill himself but the Gate brought him a "present"; The injured, half-dead person that was Mornelithe Falconsbane, a person whom Elspeth and Darkwind though they had already killed....a couple of times! Now Ancar has a new weapon and the Envoys to valdemar must train as many new Herald-Mages as possible. The get a suprise when Karse makes a truce and offers to help...but that's all to the good. There is also another unknown Ally among these people, one who can change the outcome of this battle if he can get control of himself