"Bit by bit, my old life sifts like golden grains of wheat through my fingers." Sixteen-year-old Gabrielle travels to Andwarf with her father, warlord Simon March, where she is to become a vestal at the Temple of the Goddess. When Simon is robbed and killed, Gabrielle believes one of his former brothers-in-arms is responsible. Even the city governor seems complicit in Simon's murder. To make matters worse, her older brother is arrested for associating with a rebel faction and sentenced to die on the gallows. To free Damon, Gabrielle enlists the help is a handsome childhood friend, but Thomas appears determined to prevent her from participating in the escape plot. Will Gabrielle be able to save Damon and bring her father's murderer to justice?