 The international scope of the conflict becomes clear as debate over a retaliatory invasion against Senna Lirwan heightens in Cantirmoor, "ad interim" Wren’s rescue party faces an escalating variety of threats as they make their way into, in to, and through, the border mountains.Once on the Lirwani side, some transmogrification (conferred in the rear dust-jacket text in most editions of the print volume of the story) is the only thing which saves Wren from the ambush-laden land’s defenses.This magical intervention proves to be provided by an unexpected ally, whose previous rescue of the rescuers went anonymous.