The story starts with Marnari Rashna, the last from the order of magi, being summoned to the king. On her way there she meets Quinn, the most interesting street urchin ever. Quinn has an amazing talent: one that Marnari has only heard of, but never seen. Marnari invites Quinn to join her the next morning. The girl has nowhere else to be so agrees.
The two of them head to deal with the king's business, only to realise it is a trap: a threat on the king's life looms. Racing back, they are too late. The only friend Marnari now has at court, the stable master, tells her that there may be an heir. The only one who may know about this has long since left the continent and headed to the northern shores. Quinn doesn't want to leave her new horse behind so opts for the gateway, never used since the great war. There is only one quick way to get there: across the plains.
Dangers await, yet the gentle soul of Quinn has only ever known one life. This will become the greatest adventure of her life and of all those she meets.