Dargan the Bitter has stolen Taz-i-tor, the Golden Sceptre of Elsinoth, which embodies the spirit of freedom and choice given to all inhabitants of the Realm. He wants to subvert its power to his own uses and bring the whole Realm under his control. However, he is opposed by two half-elven Quiet Ones, Kess and Linnil; Athennar, son of the Guardian of the Realm; Rrum, a rock-eating Rrokki; Valor, a Mountain Guard; Vallel and Hesteron, Water and Air Crafters; and Gatera, a Land Crafter. This small team goes in search of the Sceptre, facing Zorgs, Tarks, Zendos (Dargan's assistant) and their own fears. But just when they have the staff within their grasp, it is recaptured by Dargan - along with Linnil. Meanwhile, Zendos, too, has disappeared. Can the dispirited friends rebuild their courage and hope - and more importantly, how can they find out where Dargan and Zendos have gone? The friends' journeys take them through dangerous mists to the northern kingdom of the extraordinary Ice People, and the beautiful but deadly Jewelled Forest. Will they be able to find out what has happened to Linnil and the Sceptre? Time is running out....