THE COMPASS ROSE unfolds in a battle scene, Invaders have breached the city walls with a cannon and Kallista Varyl, an Adaran military sorcerer, is desperately trying to hold them off with the help of her bodyguard, Torchay. But it is not enough, and so Kallista begs her goddess for magic to protect the people. Instantly, Kallista is filled with more power than she can hold. A veiling mist explodes from her, and every invader within 500 miles is slaughtered--except one. Stone, a Tibran Warrior is found lying over the body of his dead partner. In the aftermath, Kallista is ordered to report to the queen to determine what she has done. Together, with Torchay, and the secret of the compass-shaped mark that has appeared suddenly on the back of her neck, she heads off. Stone also heads to the capital, sent there by a general who discovered a rose-shaped mark on the back of his neck. By chance, Kallista and Stone meet, and a violent eruption of magic occurs, binding the two of them together. This is the beginning of their journey. Kallista and Stone set out across the sea of Tibre and end the invasion.