Caleb Lamond and his brother, Noels, live with their uncle Mars on a small farm outside the frontier city of Carnation. Mars is a retired captain of the colonial army; he led the legendary invasion of the valley that (mostly) purged it of trolls. Caleb and Noels lost their parents in that battle. At a faire in Carnation, the brothers watch a captive troll get humiliated in an electric elevator. Shaken by this sight, Noels starts off on isolated wanderings in the forests surrounding the farm. After several weeks alone, Caleb works up the courage to tag along with him. Beneath the trees, Caleb...