It's been two months since the war ended, and many things have changed. The once notorious Thieves of Otar have now become the Keepers of Otar, the kingdom's most elite, set aside for special missions for the benefit of the kingdom. Zia is no longer the nameless, parentless girl she thought she was, and the King is determined to create better relations with Otar's neighboring countries. But despite all this one thing has not changed- Daxtor. He is still alive, and somewhere he and his daughter are in hiding, plotting their revenge. When Daxtor and his daughter launch a sneak attack on the Keepers' Headquarters, people are hurt and Zia finds herself once again hurled into a crazy, wild adventure to save the lives of the people she loves.

"How did you find this place?" Zia asked the King, speaking for the first time since entering the tent. "I've been searching for the location of your Headquarters for months- years, really." Donathan admitted. "We only found it when we got wind that two new recruits would be coming here today. My men tailed them here this morning and sent for me as soon as they were certain of the location." The tent was silent. Finally Arch said thoughtfully, "You say you come to negotiate?" The King nodded. "Very well, then," Arch said, "I will oblige. If I do answer your plea, can I insure that this camp and all those who live in it will remain protected and untouched?" Donathan nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I believe you can." "And," he went on, "can I trust that this place will remain secret to the outside world?" "My men are sworn into secrecy," the King assured him. Arch fell silent once again. This quiet seemed to last longer than all the others. Zia wanted to know what he would say, and His Highness and Jay appeared to be in the same boat. "Very well, then," Arch said, stretching forth his hand for the King to shake. "When shall we sort out the details?" Cover made by the incredibly talented @italychick