Having survived their first small encounter with the mountain torbulds, Clari and her friends finally reach the city of Bridge Town and find it in a state of war. Remembering her promise to her friend Mecomi, Clari prepares to escort the orphans back to the safety of the mountain village. They ride with a massive caravan of 20,000 sponsored by Lord Justinius Biverius, who is to take up a cushy post guarding Good River, Clari's hometown. Little do they know, the caravan is about to run into terrible danger!