Buckle of Methliana farms an estate in Delamer, in the peaceful west. The spring storms arrive, unusually strong, and Buckle is looking forward to a bountiful year. He ignores the rumors of war coming from the east. The Sarondakis, are looking to reconquer the lands they once dominated. For Buckle, dealing with the corrupt local officials is trouble enough. But when his liege, Roduct disappears and is accused of murder, Buckle can no longer ignore the troubles of the outside world and he must set out on a quest to clear his lord's name. If he can't the estate will be lost. With him he takes Yazzle, a large but gentle field hand, and Zabeth, an angry drudge in the household and a better fighter than any man in the estate's guard. Along the way, others join their band including Bindle, a freewheeling soldier looking to rejoin his unit and Krinseth, a mysterious witch with motives of her own. Together, they travel east into the teeth of the looming war. They cross haunted forests, towering mountain ranges and finally the burning sands of the Ratog desert. There, sitting in his castle is Skrike the immortal ruler of the Sarondakis, who can only be stopped by a hero and a sword spoken of in legend. Buckle and his companions must survive desperate odds to face this formidable evil and find their destinies.