Queen Melisande grieves. Her sons have gone into their father’s army. One daughter is dead and the other, accidentally pregnant, has gone to stay with an old Healer in the Eastern forest. Her husband is having an affair with the young daughter of a powerful family. She suspects he wants to get her out of the way so he can re-marry. Meanwhile Peg and Maida struggle to find what remains of the Dragon Priestess’s knowledge while hiding their project from their unhappy royal guest.