Kara Asgrand, daughter of the king, is the greatest military mind of her time. Her exploits have kept the kingdom of Avandi secure for many years, but now a strange and wondrous fleet has approached her people's shores. When this new people arrive, the visitors' tale of woe doesn't add up, and their plea for help may be a prelude to invasion. Kara must decide if her finely honed instincts for war are keeping her cautious or are they betraying her and endangering thousands of lives. If Kara chooses wrongly, she risks losing her kingdom by being gracious or losing her soul by destroying an innocent people. What will she decide?