Young Penderrin Ohmsford has been charged with the daunting task of rescuing his aunt Grianne, Ard Rhys of the Druid order, from her forced exile in the terrifying dimension of all things damned: the Forbidding. With the noble dward Tagwen and the prodigal elven princess Kyhber Elessedil by his side - and with the outcome of the bloody war between the Federation and the Free-born at stake - Pen has accepted his mission without question. But not without risk . . . or sacrifice.
Shadea a'Ru, the ruthless Druid responsible for usurping the true Ard Rhys, has sent her agents and assassins in relentless pursuit of Pen's small band. And in securing the talisman he needs to breach the Forbidding, Pen has paid a devastating price. Now, if the last of the Free-born forces should all, Shadea's domination of the Four Lands will be assured. Only Pen's success can turn the tide.
But Pen's challenge grows greater when he learns that his parents, Bek Ohmsford and Rue Meridien, have fallen into Shadea's hands. He must try to save them, by plunging into the depths of Druid's Keep where Shadea's minions and dark magic lurk at every turn.
Yet these dangers will all pale in comparison to the horrors that wait inside the Forbidding - horrors poised to break free upon the Four Lands when the time is right . . .
