When Merinel, an exiled enchantress, meets Tal'rien, a young prince who is traveling to take leadership of the new colony of Imenras, their direction seems to be clear. Once there, however, their peaceful life is torn apart by jealousy, and their resulting travels-Merinel to find herself and fulfill a promise, and Tal'rien in dogged pursuit-embroil them in a greater conflict that threatens the future of all Imenras.