Magic in the Kingdoms of the Chadon operates on a very strict set of rules., Quests especially have guidelines and protocols. When King Harold sets up a quest for his daughter Georgina he expects those rules to be followed, the protocols holding firm. With them in place, he knows no quester will be seriously harmed and that the prince he already selected to win the contest will be triumphant. Unfortunately, questers start dying. It appears the sorcerer in charge of the quest has gone mad. In a panic Harold calls for help. The neighboring kingdom of Theras is worried about the damage a mad sorcerer could do and King Sigmund sends his middle son, Rinaldo to investigate and bring an end to the madness.
Set in the world of the Lost Princess, we see Rinaldo as a much younger man in a series of events that has far reaching consequences.