In the thirteenth century the Guardians gave the three families in the tiny hamlet of Oakhobgate special powers to protect the Spirit Gateway in Lycan's Forest. The spirits ensured that the natural world was safe, for without them regeneration was impossible. Eight hundred years later the descendants of the original families are still charged with this role. Three new recruits Harry, Abigail and Bethany are being trained in the Jinx by the redoubtable but eratic Mrs Suo Regnad (pseudonym). Because of unfortunate incidents with new recruits which featured hungry lions and grumpy bears she may need to attend a retraining programme (although as she said, "Nobody actually died"). First they will have to overcome Festulantus (an evil fallen Guardian) who intends to destroy the Forest Gateway. The story includes political intrigue, bribery, kidnapping, problems with Einstein's gravitational wave theories and the development of three very different twelve year olds.