From the introduction: The King of Urland is young and inexperienced, but well loved by the people of his little kingdom. His father’s legacy holds the nation together, and peaceful borders have made King Pitre Urland’s experience easy. When King Borric Urland died at the young age of 42, his son was only 7 and while 4 years have since passed, the chamberlain and advisers have had to handle the day to day running of the kingdom while Pitre learns. All was well until a month ago when the king vanished from his keep. The mages are baffled, the King’s guards enraged and mortified, and the Chamberlain horrified. The king is the soul of Urland, and his lack is felt bitterly by all its people.