[1][2] It deals with the continuing adventures of child mage Daja Kisubo and her teacher, the dedicate initiate Frostpine.

Daja and Frostpine expect to have a peaceful winter's visit with old friends in Kugisko, a port in the vast empire of Namorn.

Daja assists Bennat Ladradun, a local firefighter with a tragic past, to fight the flames.

She devises a metal scrying mirror to test the twin daughters Niamara (Nia) and Jorality (Jory)'s aspect of magics.

As Daja is considered an adult by the Winding circle, a fact that is acknowledged with the entrustment of her mage medallion, she is responsible for aiding those whom she personally discovers as having magic.

He is trying to form an organized much needed fire brigade from the villagers, but is facing issues from lack of funding.

As Kugisko is a village with houses built mainly of wood, fires in the area were not uncommon, yet increasing in number throughout Daja's stay.