A hundred years after the empire fell, people still dreamed of a Renewer who would restore peace and order, but the futile little wars went on. One of them took the life of Gwin's husband; she struggled to raise her infant children alone. Then they, too, died-smitten in an outbreak of the dreaded Star Sickness. Corrupt politicians plotted to steal away her livelihood, the hostelry she had inherited. Furthermore, she had committed a major crime by harboring a girl who had survived the terrible Sickness and had therefore developed magical powers. That simple of act of kindness, which seemed likely to destroy Gwin, was instead to bring hope to her and her world.