This fantastical tale is full of heroic deeds, noble journeys, cow-sized bees, living fortresses, beautiful maidens, and valiant dreamers. In the magical land Einer Mortensen has created, a small hunting party becomes bewitched by an abandoned castle, a callous villain becomes obsessed with stealing the life force of others, and a young man must decide his own destiny in the adventure that lies ahead.

Thrumble Manor is an ever-changing ancient house that holds an entire village. With each generation, it grows anew. Elemental sorcerers called "ancient maestros" direct its rebirth after the catastrophic Grayfanth shakes it to pieces.

The master and mistress of the Thrumble, Rolfed and Gardenia, are troubled. The Grayfanth will soon be upon them, but the maestros are nowhere to be found. They task Ware, the almost-ranger, with finding the maestros in time.

Time isn't Ware's only enemy. Tarn, a man who keeps himself alive by inhaling the life force of others, is en route to the manor. He and his minions, the Carac, bring nothing but death and destruction in their wake.

As Ware seeks out the maestros, he will have to decide whom he can trust with this vital quest.