1 part Complete MatureSomething or someone has poisoned the Rhyswater river, the font of magic for the human land of Rhysmark and the elvish Forelvenrest.
To investigate the source of the taint, deep in the treacherously magic Tasperwood, the Rhysian queen sends two of her best: Griffon Mage Zacharus Ravenwood, and knight Sir Colkeith of Brookland.
Zach is a powerful mage and lethal fighter, but touched by wild boggart blood, he loves nothing more than playing pranks-particularly on his brother-in-law apparent, Keith. Keith, at the command of his father, brings along his newly met half-brother Torin, a sweet-tempered, beautiful half-sylph with no interests other than sex and music. Although ordered to "make a man" out of Torin, Keith is not sanguine about his chances. Torin's only interested in his next conquest.
Joining the humans are two elves: Oakheart Mage Trysstenirifell, and Foresteye Mage Vesperessillien. Tryss jumps at the chance to take the dangerous journey, grateful to put off an unwelcome marriage. Vesper comes from the most enigmatic and powerful branch of the elf family, the Foresteyes, and unwittingly scares the bugspit out of all he meets. His reasons for going are more complex, and no one would dare to inquire.
As the oddly composed band sets off into the Tasperwood, they encounter not only physical dangers of every description, but dangers of the heart as well.
Torin is determined to have Tryss, who holds back out of loyalty to the elves, who do not transgress with other races. Besides, he's engaged, however unwillingly. Zach feels drawn to Vesper, but fears Vesper and Tryss are a couple. Previously Zach had felt drawn to the straight Keith, who realizes he'd counted on the attention when Zach turns his attention elsewhere. And that's just the start. Can they get their relationships untangled before the Tasperwood and its creatures make mincemeat of them?