Tesni is trying to secure further alliances in the fight against Bhimar. Meanwhile, her daughter, Nia, is struggling with her desire to be anything but a war leader. Nothing is certain. And then there are the Shield Maidens of Fannar. Beautiful but deadly, they are loyal first to clan, then to kingdom, and do not always agree with or obey their rulers. With everything starting to fall apart, the right alliances can change everything.