Synopsis: It is the time of cruelty. The Manth people have left the ruined Mastery to seek their homeland, in the face of starvation, blizzards and the evil of the Morah. Only Ira Hath can lead them there. She grows weak... Kestrel dreads reaching the homeland. She is afraid of what it will mean for her mother - and of something else. Why does she feel so alone? Bowman eagerly awaits the summons from Sirene. He prepares to make the final sacrifice for his people, his family. But first he must be trained by the great Albard. And all the while, the wind is rising... [from blurb on bc].