The book begins in Trunswick, Eura from Conor's perspective, taking place from a third-person perspective. Conor is first introduced as a sheep farmer and a servant to Devin Trunswick, due to a debt incurred by Conor's father. Conor and Devin have just turned 11 years old, and are preparing for their Nectar ceremony, where they could summon a spirit animal. Conor helps a very annoyed Devin clasp the buttons on his very fancy coat. Devin rambles about what animal he thinks he'll summon. He appears rather confident that he will call a spirit animal. Conor, however, believes that his own chances of summoning a spirit animal are slim, despite the encouragement from Devin's younger brother, Dawson. After Conor is finished buttoning Devin's shirt for the occasion, it is time for the ceremony. Due to being a noble, Devin is the first to drink the Nectar of Ninani. However, he does not summon a spirit animal. After a girl named Abby also summons nothing, it is Conor's turn. He drinks the Nectar and a blue-eyed wolf suddenly appears on the stand. It happens to be Briggan the Wolf, a Great Beast and the patron animal of Eura. Conor unconsciously reaches out and rests his hand on Briggan's head, solidifying their bond. The crowd is astounded, and Devin is furious. Conor and Briggan are then approached by a man in the crowd named Tarik, who is a member of the Greencloaks. Tarik accompanies them to Greenhaven, the Greencloaks' base. The second chapter introduces Abeke, who is from Okaihee, Nilo and has also turned 11 years old. In her village, it is tradition to give a gift at your Nectar ceremony. Abeke decides to hunt an antelope as a gift instead of making a decorative bowl like her sister, Soama, which disappoints their father, Pojalo. Nevertheless, Abeke can have her Nectar ceremony. When she drinks the Nectar, she summons Uraza the Leopard, the patron animal of Nilo, and causes a sudden rainstorm. The village believes Abeke to be their new Rain Dancer, a person who can summon rain and prevent drought and famine. Pojalo is unsure about his daughter's new spirit animal and what it meant for their village. Soon after the Ceremony is over, a mysterious man named Zerif approaches the family. Zerif convinces them that Abeke and Uraza are unsafe in the village, and must travel with him. The next chapter is set in Jano Rion, Zhong from Meilin's point of view. Meilin is the daughter of General Teng, making her quite wealthy. She prepares for her Nectar ceremony by perfecting her make-up and etiquette. A man named General Chin steps in and informs her that Zhong is being invaded a ways away from their city - the invaders are called the Conquerors, and are clad in black armor. This alarms Meilin, and she almost calls the ceremony off. Chin tells her that the public does not yet know of the invasion, and it would be best to continue with the ceremony. Following his orders, Meilin arrives at her ceremony fashionably late. Unlike in Eura, the wealthiest children drink the Nectar last, so Meilin is the last to be called to the stand. She drinks the Nectar, and summons Jhi the Panda, the patron animal of Zhong. This both surprises and disappoints Meilin, who was hoping for a more fierce spirit animal, due to her love for combat. A Greencloak named Lenori approaches Meilin, but their meeting is cut short by emergency bells being set off in the city. The Conquerors fire into the crowd, causing chaos to break out the Siege of Jano Rion takes place. Meilin and Jhi quickly leave the scene alongside Lenori, Chin, and General Teng. From one of the towers, they watch as the city is burned to the ground. Teng tells Meilin that she should travel with Lenori and ally herself with the Greencloaks. Meilin wants to stay and fight alongside her father, but eventually, she gives in to his wishes and leaves the city with Lenori.