'Find the key, Zorzecai, and you will have your Life returned to you vastly more powerful than you have ever enjoyed in the past. Kill the boy! Open the gates for my minions to kill those who follow the boy.' These are the demon's orders as his God creates a tempest to ensnare the wizard, Lord Tragen.

So begins the search...but is it the only search?

Aidan, wizard's apprentice, accidentally passes on his gift of magic to his friends, and that is when his problems begin. Leash tries to kill him but kills his friend by mistake. The Montetor clan wish to abduct him and despatch him to Sanctity for execution.

And then Aidan discovers that he and his friends are the subject of a Green Man's prophecy and are destined to fight the Darkness. To win they must locate the Shadow's Bane and elves who can help them find dragons.

Meanwhile Ryn, a talking albatross, tries to deliver a message to the Prince of Mantovar and is attacked by a mad monk. He is rescued by a small forest elf seeking a legend.