Far across the northern sea from Allon, the snowbound country of Sore is rule by women with an iron fist, subjugating all males without mercy. A cry for help reaches King Tyrone, but sympathy turns to outrage upon learning the Sorens plan to invade Allon. This imminent threat prompts a covert mission to discover the reason and who is behind this menace. What is uncovered poses a greater danger to the Guardians: unity in their ranks and their relationship to the mortals. Kell must solidify the Guardians and support the mortals before the enemy lands, preferably without pitting male against female.