Taunted by a mysterious whistle in his Gran's house, orphaned eleven-year-old Jarrod follows the sound and discovers a leather case containing mysterious metal rods. When he accidentally touches two of the rods together, he and two bullies that have followed him home from school are pulled to an alternate universe where technology doesn't exist. Soon after his arrival he's given to Sir Gawain as a page and introduced to the rival factions. One is headed by Lord Baltimore who lives in the Castle Neowyn where Baltimore City exists in his own world. The other faction is from the City State of Alexandria in what is Virginia in Jarrod's world. They are ruled by a Council of Elders. Sir Gawain is part of the Alexandrian group who has traveled to Neowyn to negotiate boundaries between the two city states. The church, although altered, is a strong force in Neowyn, while Alexandria was founded by the Clan of the Crescent Moon who have special powers. The church believes that the gifts of the Clan are an abomination. Alexandrians embrace the Clan even more than Lord Baltimore suspects. Gran is missing. Sir Gawain is in danger. Jarrod must rely on his own wits to discover who is behind the plot to cause a war that will destroy his new found family.