After training in secret with his mother's sister, the magical Lady
Taleissa, Prince Kaidan returns home to find his kingdom destroyed and
his parents, King Gorlan and Queen Olwen, gone. With the monarchy
overthrown, Kaidan is set adrift in a lawless land where his birthright
is no longer recognized. To make matters worse, there's a price on his
head set by the warlord who wants to ensure that the royal line has no
chance to return.
Kaidan seeks refuge with a merry band of outlaws hiding in the forest,
who were neither loyal to the monarchy nor to the current leadership.
Kaidan joins them until they betray him, selling him out to a local
merchant and giving the money to the poor.
Now a captive, Kaidan prepares to be exchanged for the reward money
until his outlaw friends reveal their plan to rescue him. Kaidan then
discovers that the King was indeed killed but his mother is most likely
alive, though imprisoned by the warlord.
Kaidan's rescuers offer him a new home among them. He's tempted, but
with his mother still missing, he realizes that his aunt, the Lady
Taleissa, must be searching for her. Kaidan resolves to find them both
and set things right even if being King is no longer a reality.