Sterling Fierce will lose his uncle and his home, the Village of Bren, to a disease born from a dark witch unless he resurrects the magical secrets that he suspects-like his father-are in his blood. With his father dead after a mysterious hunting accident, Sterling must go alone on a quest to seek a cure in the distant Vionin Kingdom. To make matters worse, his path leads him deep into an unfamiliar realm of magic he believed only existed in stories until now. If Sterling is to succeed, he will be forced to learn the truth about Everen's cursed protector, the Red Wolf, and himself.