Under the rule of a usurper king, the realm of Skala has suffered famine, plague, and invasion. But now the time for the rightful heir has come, a return to the tradition of warrior queens. And the Lightbearers prophecy is to be upheld at last: so long as a daughter of the royal line defends and rules, Skala will never be subjugated.Now a mystical fire has burned away the male body known as Prince Tobin, revealing Princess Tamr, a girl on the verge of womanhoodand a queen ready to claim her birthright after a life in disguise under the protection of wizards and witches. But will her people, her armyand the friends she was forced to deceiveaccept her? Worse, will the crowns rival heir, friend to Tobin, turn foe to Tamr, igniting civil war in a fierce battle for Skala?From the Paperback edition.