A manuscript from the lost civilization of Edil-Amarandah chronicles the experiences of sixteen-year-old Maerad, an orphan gifted in the magic and power of the Bards, as she escapes from slavery and begins to learn how to use her Gift to stave off the evil Darkness that threatens to consume her world.

After a brief reunion with his lost sister Maered, who continues to pursue her dangerous destiny in the frozen North, orphaned Hem is sent south to Turbansk for safety but, as the armies of the Dark overrun the city, he flees with his mentor Saliman, his white crow Irc, and the orphan girl Zelika to join the resistance forces of the Light and finally learn his role in his sister's quest.

Cast out of the Schools of Barding for recklessly unleashing the Bone Queen upon Annar, a guilt-ridden Cadvan attempts to earn back the bards' trust while a young bard, Selmana, is plagued by an unsettling new ability to step between worlds.