Nahilen Khan is an average Rhaltan girl who enjoys helping in her family store, talking with her fellow townspeople, and hanging out with her friends. But just like every other Rhaltan, Nahi is sure that the Yrothians, Rhalt's eastern neighbors, are evil savages that attack her Kingdom day and night. As part of an age-old custom, when Nahi reaches her thirteenth summer, she and the other thirteen year old Rhaltans are given the first of ten three-year tasks to help defend their Kingdom from Yroth. But as Nahi begins to fulfill her assignment, she discovers the truth about the Yrothians, and learns that the fate of both Kingdoms rests upon her shoulders.