Romilly MacAran, was an independent tomboy from a noble Darkovan family, but women on Darkover were not allowed the freedom of choice. Forced to conform to the social demands of her society was bad enough, but when Romilly's father arranged her marriage to a nobleman she found utterly repulsive, she rebelled. Disguising herself as a boy, she fled her into the deep forests of her homeland. Living off the land was not nearly as difficult for Romilly as for most people, for she possessed the rare and highly treasured MacAran gift—telepathic communication with hawk and horse. But Romilly soon discovered her newfound freedom was far from complete. Pulled into the maelstrom of a civil war, could Romilly find her true role in life without sacrificing her ideals?