The story picks up the saga of Elric as he and Moonglum of Elwher barely escape with their lives from Nadsokor, the city of Beggars and find themselves in the cursed forest of Troos.
Elric is able to collect various sorcerous herbs that grow only there, and they meet the young and beautiful Lady Zarozinia of Kaarlak, sole survivor of a massacre by the physically and mentally twisted Orgians.
The trio, now protected by Elric's magic, bluff their way into the citadel of the Orgians, in the guise of messengers of the Gods, but King Gutheran and his son Prince Hurd see through their lie and imprison the travellers.
About to be eaten alive by the gibbering ghouls, he prays to Arioch the Demon God, who sends a lightning-bolt to shatter his chains, allowing his escape.
As the Hill-King finally perishes and the massacre continues, the castle falls into blazing ruin and the trio make their escape from Org.