This is a 25,000 word novella set in the Four Lands. It tells about the blacksmith Danoe's early life, his heritage, his magic, and his initial contact with fairies.
His father, an ice giant, is killed on a hunting expedition and his mother, a human witch returns to the frozen north to take her son home to Telgar. On the way he makes the acquaintance of the fairies, Bartol and Ariel. They ask him to help, Princess Arianna should she happen across his path. Miserable and alone, Danoe agrees without finding out exactly what that help might entail.