When she is sent as part of the delegation from Tortall to negotiate a peace treaty with Carthak, fifteen-year-old Daine must use her powers to communicate with animals for more than healing the Carthak emperor's dying birds.

Guests in Carthak -- Imperial welcome -- Hall of bones -- Strange conversations -- Palace tour -- Carthaki magecraft -- Waking dreams -- The Badger returns -- Daine loses her temper -- Steel feather -- Epilogue.