In the peaceful land of Asherill, things are amiss. Its southern borders are under attack by an enemy whose origins and motivations are unknown. Lord Dracon, the hereditary ruler of Asherill, has sent spies to try and uncover the answers, but only Brennan, a man who is not one of his subjects, has had any success. Brennan, along with his sister Marta, is from the ungoverned land to the south of Asherill; an orphan without a homeland who has been forced to look for employment so he can provide for his little sister. When Lord Dracon contracted for his services he granted Brennan time off to see his sister for a two week period three times a year at a time of the full moon, but now a time has come when this contract is proving to be difficult for Lord Dracon to keep. His enemy, a man who calls himself Lord Marnot, seems to be aware of the arrangement and has made his plans to coincide with the time when Brennan will be away. Brennan, knowing of Marnot's plan, has turned to his friend, the magician Dendiril, to go in his place to check on his sister and assure her safety. What he does not know is that Dendiril has developed suspicions that Marta has strong magical abilities and he has agreed to perform this task with the intention of taking her on as his pupil. Brennan and Marta are drawn into the battle for control of this small country, and, for better or worse, their fate is now intertwined with that of Asherill.