During a long-ago battle the king was killed, and his powerful amulet, which protects the kingdom from harm, was lost. Then Kelhadden fell to Ranulf, a cruel Northman, under whose regime the people are dying and the city is deteriorating. Now the only hope is that the true prince of Kelhadden will come forward, recover the amulet, and take back the kingdom.

Born on the night of the red sky, Thorn is taken in by the old warrior Morwid, former counselor to the murdered king and keeper of the all-knowing Book of Ancients. Thorn knows nothing of his...