Prophecy. Calamity. Faith. Leader of the Thirteenth Regiment, protector of Athering, and spouse of a good man, Bellica Agate has simple goals--peace and privacy. War with neighboring Ixtepan threatens every part of her world; yet she must act, her every step haunted by dusty prophecies that foretell the coming of one who will save Ixtepan and end the bloodshed. Who is Sho-qoot-Bak? Will she appear before Athering...