Because she has shown her mastery of the red tongue, ratha now leads the Named. She oversees the Firekeepers, members of the clan with a special charge, and the rituals, herding, and governance; but she often wonders if the power of fire has corrupted them all. When Orange-Eyes, a politically astute newcomer, joins the clan, Ratha is forced to decide how she will keep control - or if she wants to keep control of the clan at all.