Liam Carvein, third born of the king, is on his first scouting mission to the border the Winterlands shares with their enemy the Summerlands. His Father has resisted sending forces to the border for the past year but now the time is right as a party to journey north to seek information about their enemies. After their first encounter with a Summerlands’ beast, Liam begins to wonder if his small party will survive long enough to complete their mission. Meanwhile, Shondra Carvein has grown bored keeping watch for any Winterlands’ forces that may be the sign of an invasion. Ever since the Queen enchanted the border, there have been no signs of the enemy. Just as she is preparing for the night, a yell from across the border sends her heart racing in expectation for what the yell means and the end to her peaceful boredom.