Bar Ez is a planet still in its medieval time and the kingdom of Abennember's society is ruled by a patriarchy. Briar's father was the greatly respected Chief Protector of Abennember who privately trained her to one day compete to inherit his title. Before he could introduce the idea of a female at the post, he disappears, leaving Briar an orphan. Two years later Briar now stands as an outlaw with her best friend, still fighting to protect her home even as they hunt her down.