The land of Alera is under outside threat from barbarians, and internal strife abounds because the aging, sickly lord does not have an heir. Fortunately, Alera can use the defenses of the elementals of water, earth, air, fire and metal to protect the kingdom. Furthermore, the lord enlists Amara, a young female spy, to lurk outside the kingdom and seek out possible enemies. It is under these circumstance that Amara and the sheepherder Tavi meet, and...