Morgon of Hed and Raederle of An set out to discover who the shapechangers who pursue them are, and where the High One, the source of the land-law binding the realm together, is hiding.

Along the way they are helped by the wizards of the realm, recently released by Morgan from the bonds in which Ghisteslwchlohm had held them, and by the land-heirs/rulers.

After confronting Ghisteslwchlohm in the city of Lungold, where the wizard once had ruled, Morgon is imprisoned by the shapechangers within Erlenstar Mountain, as they do not want to kill him.

Once he has partially learned all of the land-law, Morgon discovers that the High One had journeyed with him as both the harpist Deth and the wizard Yrth.

The High One, in McKillip's creation, seems to have the same relationship with the entire realm, as he started to bind all of the land-law when he sensed that the Earth-Master Eriel began to gather power for her own ends.