Queen Elisset has been forced from her home of Keritor by her brother, who is under the control of the King of Keriadan, neighbouring kingdom and age old adversary of Keritor. On the run from those who seek her, she only has her aunt and a hunter to help her escape the clutches of those who would see her killed. With no other choice, she flees into the great forests that cover the land and looks to the kingdoms in the west to offer her refuge. There she plans to retake her birthright and lead her people into an age of prosperity. But the forest houses an ancient civilisation, the Huldra, or Forest People, who will offer her no refuge, and have sworn to kill her kind on sight.