When the Herons are caught in a massive storm at sea, they're blown far off course - so far that they wash up on the shores of a land to the west that Hal can't recognise from his maps. They sense they're being watched but don't encounter the locals until they have to rescue two children from a marauding bear.

This action earns them the gratitude of the Mawagansett tribe and the two groups finally meet. But the peace is short-lived. The ruthless, warmongering Ghostfaces are heading their way, and the Herons will have to help their new friends repel an invasion.

Among the heart-stopping action and nail-biting battles, one Heron will find love, the twins finally receive payback for their identity swapping, and a homesick Skandian will discover that home is where the heart is.