With winter beating down on Akron and his company, they take shelter at his home in the veterans' valley. Akron soon realizes that there may not be enough food to last the winter. To make it worse, his lack of battle knowledge may have accidently led himself and his company into a trap with no escape. Akron must make a choice--stay and starve or brave the winter and have that kill him? Little does Akron know that King James's border guards are close, hunting Gowan, the only dragon that stands in the way of King James's horrific plan. The weight of Emerald's oath is taking its toll. She must guide Akron to the family she swore the oath to. Can a dragon, a beast, fall in love with a human? If so, why?.