The kids have traveled with the Duke and their teachers to help in a region plagued by drought. Daja interacts with traders for the first time since she became an outcast.

I keep telling myself that I haven't fallen in love with these characters like I did the ones in Pierce's Tortall series, but when I felt bad while I was away from home, these books were a total comfort, and I just keep reading through the series. I believe Daja is my favorite amongst the children with Briar in a close second, so I this was my favorite of this quartet.