When Rydara, the mixed-race bastard daughter of a tribal king, finds out that the queen of a neighboring country is murdering tribespeople in dark magic rituals, her father refuses to believe her and banishes her to avoid the risk of war. She and her loyal brother Aander strike out through a desert wasteland to seek the fabled land of elves and dragons, where they hope to find magic strong enough to defeat the queen. But even if they find the elves, how will Rydara convince them to save a tribe of prejudiced, short-sighted humans? Are her people worth saving—and if so, how much is Rydara willing to sacrifice?