Wounded and barely escaping with her life, Aella flees downriver with her friends. Each trapped in an impossible situation, each with their lives hanging in the balance, their only hope is to find a way free from the clawing grasp of the Empire of War and Wings - a way that they are certain lies through Aella's special magic. But when hidden enemies arise and known enemies grown stronger, will Aella choose to flee to keep herself and her family safe or will she choose to try to save everyone in a desperate gamble that might claim her life?