It isn't enough that the Caelian are ramping up their raiding in the south of Amadea, now King Marc has learned he has slavers in his very own city to deal with. Add Nehl and Freddy to the mix and even a king needs help. And who should appear in his Grannies' scry bowl, but Vere. Apparently, she's in Nogaynos, at Gallantry. Someone needs to go find her and bring her back to Amadea to help out. Enter bowman Nial Marston, hero of the south, and Mahdi Kylan Elite. As camouflage, for their journey, Ky and Nial will escort a troop of Grannies, kids and ponies across the plains. Won't that be fun? Not. Jo has rescued a rag tag group of Mahdi and Noganos kids and even found a Granny to help her get them to Nogaynos. And now the king saddles them with a bunch of former Mahdi slaves to help them make the journey, The question arises-- Just who is helping whom?