Owen McMichaels, a farmer’s son, finds himself called upon to rescue the villagers of South Corner (including Sarah, the young love of his life), when soldiers from the ancient enemy Baraduhne invade, killing the Old Wizard and taking the citizens captive. It was Owen who discovered the body of the Old Wizard and during his pursuit of the invaders he begins to experience and struggle with the arcane world of wizardry. Owen’s budding talents do not go unnoticed, however, and Adham al Dharr, the Grand Sorcerer of the Baraduhne, vows to take him and make him his thrall. When the trail leads to the old, abandoned fortress of Carraghlaoch, further pursuit is blocked. Despairing and afraid to proceed, Owen is trapped by the certainty that wizardry is both his greatest danger and his only possible protection, plus the key to saving Sarah.