When seventeen year-old Ruby learns she was born a twin, she is furious with her mother for keeping the secret for so long. Both Ruby and her twin sister, Sab-ra of Talin, were born in the city of Namche. Their mother was forced to leave the city shortly thereafter. Only Ruby was strong enough to survive and Ashlin regretfully left Sab-ra behind. She believed Sab-ra died, but recently received a letter from the Mistress of Maidenstone, saying she lived. Ashlin sends Ruby to Namche to find her twin, but when she arrives, Ruby learns Sab-ra left the city a year ago. Ruby remains at Maidenstone until spring when she sets out to find Sab-ra who went to Talin when Namche fell into the hand of the Harn Army. In Part II Sab-ra's adventures continue as she reaches the King's Valley after a brutal winter journey, only to find that her ally and husband, Say'f isn't there. Did he die during the winter in the icy Blue Mountains? Does he wait for Sab-ra in the Lost Lake Valley unable to escape. Sab-ra receives no messages, until the day the Kosi Blood Arrows arrive with a message from her husband Say'f, the Warrior King.