Every year, on the first day of spring, each of the Twelve Lines of Ebrus sends a conscript to enrol in Boellium War College, the training ground for Ebrus' Dawn Army. Some come willingly, others not so much.

Avalon Halhed had two goals: lie low and survive her conscription at Boellium War College, and then retire to be an eccentric old woman in a run down cabin in the secluded mountains of her family's lands.

To achieve those goals she had keep herself apart from the other conscripts and not draw attention to herself. No friends. No connections.

However, as days turn into weeks, Avalon fails at remaining a shadow to haunt the halls of Boellium. Instead, she draws the gaze of two of the most powerful people in all of Ebrus. They look at her and see too much, and that terrifies her most of all.

Because what if they see past Avalon Halhed, unwanted daughter of the Ninth Line, and right down to her secrets?

Secrets that made her father hate her.

Secrets that itched in the back of a brain like poison ivy.

Secrets that would make her just another dead conscript buried beyond the walls of Boellium War College.