After her entire clan was massacred, a young woman assumes her brother's identity and becomes a warrior - all to exact revenge upon the chieftain who ordered her family slain. But the chieftain, Lord Medb, has resurrected the forbidden art of sorcery and plans to destroy all who oppose him in this dark ages fantasy world.

Gabria, a young woman with unusual magical powers, is awarded the chance to teach in a male-dominated world, but first she must lead her future students into battle against a creature with supernatural abilities

Peace has flourished for over twenty years on the Dark Horse Plains. Under the leadership of Lady Gabria and Lord Athlone, the outcast magic-wielders have gained a tenuous acceptance among their people. But when a devastating plague sweeps over the eleven Clans of Valorian, old suspicions of sorcery flare. The clans' only hope for survival rests with a handful of young magic-wielders and their quest to the ruins of Moy Tura, ancient and feared city of the sorcerers.

Kidnapped by a man who seeks to use magic to control the Turic kingdom, Kelene and Gabria must come up with a way to foil his evil schemes, with the help of the winged horse Demira, a mysterious mountain tribe, and a fierce griffon.