The journey continues as Kat wends her way among the spiritual healers of Shendea, but encounters heart-stopping challenges from a ferocious cathnog and unknown and violent strangers. Still tasked with the demand by Eduardo of Kaylin to help Pridden avoid a devastating war, but without clear instructions, she is escorted by her mysterious guide, Mouse, and the glorious big cat, Shade.
Despite her tendency to blunder through peculiar customs, she is astonished by a Thieves' Guild who do not steal, a Magicians' Guild who demonstrate no magic, and learns to sidestep the wiles of the alluring Rifellans. How will she keep her word to help Lord Rhognor, and still return safely to her own world?