When savage derks, spurred on by the Dark Lord, raid Caris' village, leaving few survivors, she is forced to flee the only home she has ever known. She sets out with Janen, her hunting companion, and joins a small band of the King's Horse who are on their way to meet the King at the frontier. As they journey, they discover more and more villages have been overrun by vicious derks. Their journey becomes more urgent as they hear of more of the Dark Lord's incursions into the King's realm, but the Dark Lord has his own plans to prevent them reaching their destination. Thus begins a perilous journey into unknown lands. As Caris journeys farther and farther from her isolated village she discovers the threat is more malevolent, the beasts that assail her more terrifying, and the beings who befriend her more wondrous than she could have imagined. Pushed to the edge of her limits, Caris discovers she has more courage and ability than she ever knew. The Caris Chronicles are an explosive epic fantasy book series, full of danger, adventure, romance, and wonder. "It's the world, the mythical creatures, the monsters, it's the journey, the love, the tension, and the characters that make these fiction novels so magical." - Mal Smith