A child of the Maghuin Dhonn, the folk of the Brown Bear, Morin is raised in the wilderness of Alba by her reclusive mother. Only when she comes of age does she discover her own illustrious and mixed heritage - descended from Alais the Wise, princess of both Terre d'Ange and Alba, Moirin is also the daughter of a D'Angeline priest dedicated to serving Naamah, goddess of derise. After undergoing the Maghuin Dhonn rites of adulthood, Moirin finds divine acceptance - provided she fulfills a mysterious fate that lies across the oceans. Beyond Terre d'Ange, in the far reaches of distant Ch'in, she will need to survive the vengeful plans of na ambitious mage, and aid both a noble warrior-princess desperate to save her father's throne and the spirit of a celestial dragon.