Long ago, in a land called Boulania, in the village of Emstemshun, lived the Moone family. Frim and Solara and their two sons, Rommic and Laniard, our protagonist, who has discovered a place he keeps secret. There is a mountain range between this glade and the ocean, Laniard has never seen.
The story begins the day Laniard has a surprise encounter, there, with the Princess Caspia, from the land of Chyldum. She has come to Boulania, with a group of about 250 people, mostly men, which includes her brother the Prince, Domrand.
Despite both having been raised in peaceful environments, there is animosity in their meeting. On her return to the encampment, from atop the mountain, Caspia sees her brother, tied to a tree.
Apart from her brother, Caspia does not know anyone well, especially the three men her father has designated as the leaders of this expedition, who have their own agenda. Their names are Olaff, Kleem, and Jyreethum.
After her shock subsides, the puzzle remains; not only of why this has happened, but also what can she do about it?
Laniard and Caspia meet again the next morning. She tries to ensure Laniard will help rescue her brother. He takes her to Emstemshun to enlist the help his brother and father would provide, with several of their friends.