The Ancient Evil conquered the Three Realms, encasing Fairyland in eternal winter. That was 500 years ago. The denizens of Fairyland survive, packed into the huge sprawling towers of the Cidatel, the great fairy-fortress that thrusts eight thousand-foot towers up from the middle of Fairyland, so well defended by its' two Guardians that even a Greater Evil cannot breach it. Varn, a human refugeee from the rabbit-like remnants of people lurking in the winter land, knows no other life than the enchanted yet routine existence of the Cidatel. But when the magic-beanstalk elevators sprout magic beans, he and several companions consume them, and gain powers, even as the protection is breached and Grey Terrors appear inside the very citadel itself.