This is the first tale of the Nedao people, told from the perspective of Nisana, and Aeldra of the cat kin. The story is left to her, as one of the few witnesses of the trials of the brave young queen Ylia, the Lady of Nedao. As she trains Ylia in the arts of her powers, Nisana is the only mind to have full access to all of Ylia's feelings and emotions as she is thrown into exile from the city of the king and subjected to dark magic and a dangerous journey through unfriendly lands.