Prince Rossi Monhoven is fourth in line to the throne. He wishes he wasn't 'in line' for anything. His mother died in a hunting accident while he was young, and his father is always busy with affairs of state. The less he has to do with the sprawling Karnatic League the better.

Then he's sent incognito to Shaker's Hope as Mudge Wheeler, and given a smallholding cut out of the forest. It's part of his training to be Regent of one of the prosperous Marchlands regions. For the first time he makes real friends, and even his abysmal spirit walker abilities improve. Then evil arises in the ancient northern empire of Xaan. Assassins come after him, and his friends start dying.

While the League prepares for war, Mudge heads north, accompanied by a band of Elite Rangers. Their first stop is Tashigot Keep. An encounter with the Keeper Stone almost kills him, but they press on for Xaan. They may be the only hope the League has.