The fight against the evil Lord Ursus continues, and the fate of the battlelies in the hands of fifteen-year-old Clovermead Wickward. Chandlefort'sarmy is in need of reinforcements, and Clovermead is charged by her mother,Lady Cindertallow, to seek allies among the nomadic Hordes of the TansySteppes. At the same time, Lord Ursus has dispatched Clovermead's old enemyLucifer Snuff to contest her. A battle of diplomacy ensues, and it is onlyone of many struggles that Clovermead must face. First, Clovermead must choose between her mission to the Hordes and thepleas of her best friend, Sorrel. All the while the survival of Chandlefortis pitted against Clovermead's promise to free Lord Ursus's enslaved bears.But the most painful choice of all awaits Clovermead in a face-to-faceconfrontation with Lucifer Snuff. In the end, Clovermead must decidebetween the logic of war and her heart's instinct for mercy, relying on hersacred gifts -- the ability to shift into bear-form and to speak thebear-language -- to have even the slightest chance at victory. In an epic tale of honor, love, and redemption, David Randall followsClovermeadandChandlefortwith an adventure determining thefate of nations and human souls.