We meet Mother Peg, a Senior Healer of the Earth People, absolutely determined to find the lost secrets of the Dragon Priestesses before she dies, and two young servants in the Women’s Retreat House, Jessa and Ev, friends despite their very different origins and dreams.

Mother Tess worries about a troubling dream while Mother Peg pursues her obsession. Young Gleve, although delighted to be accepted as a fully qualified Healer, worries what will become of his beloved Teacher. The Spring Equinox Ritual arrives and the Old Ones tell The Story.

Maida waits anxiously for Mother Peg’s return. She has been using her mistress’s absence to study forbidden Healing Journals, pinning her hopes on a favour she asked of her friend Gleve. She also worries about news she has for Mother Peg: the King’s unmarried daughter is pregnant. He wants the old Healer to hide her until the child is born and quietly find it an adoptive home.

Gleve returns home to find his Teacher caring for a mysterious, comatose patient. Princess Liandra arrives at Mother Peg’s cabin, and proves to be a very difficult guest.

Queen Melisande grieves. Her sons have gone into their father’s army. One daughter is dead and the other, accidentally pregnant, has gone to stay with an old Healer in the Eastern forest. Her husband is having an affair with the young daughter of a powerful family. She suspects he wants to get her out of the way so he can re-marry. Meanwhile Peg and Maida struggle to find what remains of the Dragon Priestess’s knowledge while hiding their project from their unhappy royal guest.

Princess Liandra insists she is not pregnant. Gleve struggles to remain professional as their patient begins to recover his memories. Queen Melisande decides to confront her husband as her worst fears come to pass.

Gleve’s patient remembers who he is and the responsibility he left behind. He must leave immediately to travel home, wherever that is. Ev, too, has a responsibility. To fulfill it, she must escape. Queen Melisande’s nightmare deepens and then, abruptly, ends.

Melisande, officially dead, becomes the Lady Merrit, a widow in the Women’s Retreat House, where Jessa and Ev are assigned to her care. Liandra, far away in the Eastlands, grieves for her, turning to her budding friendship with Maida for comfort. Keiran returns, which is both good and bad news for Gleve.