In the previous book, "The Icebound Land", Cassandra (the Crown Princess of Araluen) and Will (the apprentice Ranger) had been captured and sold as slaves. As time went on, Halt (Will’s mentor) and Horace (a Battleschool apprentice and Will's best friend) travelled across Gallica, defeating knights, and ridding Gallica of the evil warlord Deparnieux. They are now in Gallica ready to travel through a pass into Skandia to save Will and Cassandra(known as Evanlyn). Meanwhile, Will has overcome his addiction to warmweed and finally regains his senses. Evanlyn, revealed to be Princess Cassandra, is out checking traps for food when she is taken hostage by a member of a Temujai scout party, or Tem'uj.