Ancient evil stirs dragons from their long hibernation within stone.
Two orphaned boys flee their burning home, seeking refuge in Castle Thalnor. Talinn swears to avenge his parents, and something malign hears his oath. Caedmond grows close to a girl named Aneira as he struggles to find his place in his new home, and comes to learn that she keeps secrets fated to shape the world.
Dark creatures press in from the outlands, and great lords gather their strength, eyeing their neighbors with wary greed. As Talinn, Caedmond, and Aneira lay the first stones upon their paths, the Kingdom of Rethlawen trembles.