With warmer weather, the ice on Cold Lake begins to thaw. The annual ice breakup is all anyone in Helsop talks about. As Shalin and Delphi ride out to the lake to have a look at the ice, Princess Shalin sees two strangers approaching the lakefront. One of the strangers wears the robes of the Silent Men. The other could be a trader or a seafaring man.
Shalin soon learns that the Silent Man has come to seek help for his village from the one person he feels certain is able to help them if she is willing ? Shalin's sister, Princess Esme. The Silent Men still believe Esme to be their reincarnated goddess.
When Esme learns that the Silent Men, who live far away on a hilltop sanctuary, are dying from mysterious disease, she wants to go to their aid. After all, she is a full-fledged physician now and can surely save them.
But convincing her family that she should journey to the land of her former kidnappers may not be easy.
