Hundreds of years before Alanna first drew her sword in Tamora Pierceâs memorable debut, Alanna: The First Adventure, Tortall had a heroine named Beka Cooperâa fierce young woman who fights crime in a world of magic. This is the beginning of her story, her legend, and her legacy. . . . Beka Cooper is a rookie with the law-enforcing Provostâs Guard, commonly known as 'the Provostâs Dogs.â To the surprise of both the veteran 'Dogsâ and her fellow 'puppies,â Beka requests duty in the Lower City. The Lower City is a tough beat. But itâs also where Beka was born, and sheâs comfortable there. Beka gets her wish. Sheâs assigned to work with Mattes and Clary, famed veterans among the Provostâs Dogs, and they donât know that Beka has something unique to offer. Beka is a good listener. So good, in fact, that she hears things that Mattes and Clary never couldâinformation that is passed in murmurs when flocks of pigeons gather . . . murmurs that are the words of the dead. And the ranks of the dead will be growing if the Dogs canât stop a crime wave the likes of which has never been seen. Luckily for the people of the Lower City, the new puppy is a true terrier!