Sixteen-year-old Gabrielle March returns home to her beloved town of Lille, seeking peace and quiet after the untimely death of her father, war hero Simon March, and riots in Andwarf. However, Gabrielle's mother and the local populace aren't ready to accept a sixteen-year-old girl stepping into her father's boots. Furthermore, Gabrielle has important secrets to keep-such as her role in overthrowing Andwarf's governor and her growing affection for a handsome young blacksmith. Worse yet, Lille appears to be on the verge of invasion by Emperor Maximillian's army. Can Gabrielle save her town?