Five years have passed since Eryn and Enric became parents; travelling between two countries on a regular basis as imposed upon them by Eryn's brother Vran'el has become part of their everyday lives. Vern returns from Takhan after completing his training as a healer there, facing the challenge or readapting to a home, which has become a decidedly abnormal place for him. While Eryn and Enric are struggling catch up with everything that happened during their absence from Anyueel, King Folrin finally decides to take a companion to fulfil his duty of providing an heir to his throne. He has, however, no intention of taking the difficult task of seeking a suitable candidate entirely upon himself. So Eryn and Enric are granted the non-too-greatly appreciated honour of assisting their sovereign in his endeavour.
