Following his capture by the villainous Tarsonian army, Bolt Thunderfury resigns to his fate in a cell. But when Kazin, a monk from Numasa, is brought into the prison, hope is restored.
Bolt regales his fellow prisoner with the story of how he first became a hero—a tale involving dark elves, birdfolk and frost giants.
Meanwhile, Kazin works on a plan to free them both from Tarson's grasp.