Betrayed, wounded, and poisoned, Dragon King Draken flees, hunted by Second Prince Alistair's rebel forces. Aria, a Gu-rearing girl from The Verdant Marches, finds the dying Draken. Moved by pity, she uses her Gu to repel pursuers and hides him. Delirious from poison, Draken awakens hostile, nearly harming Aria. As pursuers close in again, Aria casts a Gu magic barrier to protect them.
