Gwion, son of Talhearn, leaves the settlement where he has always lived when his father is killed in battle with marauders from the east of the country, the Sea Wolves. Gwion eventually settles in the kingdom of Rheged where he is befriended by the king's son, Pascent.
It is a time of savage war and upheaval as the scattered kingdoms of Britain struggle to gain land and supremacy.
Gwion is apprenticed to a master harper and joins Urien, the king of Rheged, on a daring campaign to defeat the Sea Wolves.