After a resounding defeat at the hand of King Ellis' forces, Emperor Kamu of Morven sends an ambassador to Allon offering a royal marriage between one of his daughter, Princess Kaleana, and sixteen-year-old Prince Nigel.

Kaleana gives Nigel a jade statue as a gift of goodwill. Avatar, Nigel's Guardian Overseer, reacts with hostility to the foregin statue and urges him to get rid of it. Unfortunately, his warning has little effect on the smitten prince. Soon, strange things start happening: unknown creatures appear, mysterious stones are discovered, and every events threatens the lives of the royal family.

Avatar is convinced the jade statue is the source of the trouble. For Nigel, each incident intensifies a secret distrubance - nightmares that haunt him about his future. Where does the connection lie - in Nigel's nightmares or is everything the result of revenge disguised as a dowry?