Some days are just BAD. A couple of thousand feet in the air, hanging from eagle talons and bleeding out. Just a typical bad day for a rebellious cat. Meet Dascha, a perfect example of contrariness and smarts. This young Russian Blue is not interested in following the family business, at all! But a moment of inattention leads to danger and pain, and she is left with some hard decisions to make. Will she survive mage attacks, wolves, and, worst of all, her instructors?

Zhanna has a vision, one of the return of honor to the Witches and Mercenaries of Russia. Making that hope a reality is becoming more difficult as time goes on, with the young woman battling prejudice from her neighbors and attacks from other Magic users. It is a good thing that Dascha always has her back, as her Witch sets out to show the disorganized and dishonored mercenary Witches of Russia exactly what it means to stand by your Word! Lead by example, practice what you preach. Progress is being made, one step at a time as Zhanna acquires spells and allies. It is too bad that progress is paid with pain.