Aglirta is known as the Kingless Land—once a prosperous and peaceful river valley under the protection of a noble sovereign, it has now fallen into lawlessness, studded with feuding baronies engaged in a constant state of border wars. Two warriors, Craer Delnbone (an agile thief) and Hawkril Anharu (a mountainously tall, strong armaragor) return to the valley once known as Aglirta after a particularly disastrous war in which their now-vanished master failed to capture rich offshore islands, only to find themselves coinless and hunted as outlaws.

Thinking to steal a gem-encrusted gown from the Lady of Jewels, the daughter of their departed master's oldest foe, Craer and Hawkril try—only to be captured by the sorceries of the beautiful Embra Silvertree, the Lady of Jewels herself. She gives them the choice of deliverance into her father Baron Silvertree's hands (and certain death, under torture) or helping her escape the Baron and his three cruel mages, who are trying to make her a 'Living Castle,' bound to her father's fortress and utterly obedient to his will.

Pursued by the Baron's forces, the three companions flee to the Silent House, a cursed, abandoned and haunted palace, where they encounter a longfangs, a deadly man-eating monster—who turns out to be a healer, Sarasper Codelmer, hiding in beast-shape from all barons who'd enslave him to gain his powers. The companions are wounded; in return for healing them the elderly Sarasper demands their aid in helping him fulfill a quest...to which they reluctantly agree.

Legend insists the Sleeping King will rise to restore peace and bounty to troubled Aglirta if the Dwaerindim are recovered (four long-lost enchanted stones that must be placed in a specific array, at a certain forgotten place, to awaken the Sleeping King). Urged to do so in his dreams by Forefather Oak, patron of healers, Sarasper wants to restore the rightful king before Embra's evil father, Baron Silvertree—aided by his murderous mages—grows strong enough to bring all Aglirta under his cruel sway, and crown himself king.

But he's not the only one after the stones, for even those completely uninterested in awakening the legendary Sleeping King can use the power of the stones to work many magics. Barons and mages scramble, forces clash in the forest-overgrown ruins of Indraevyn, and the Band of Four blunder on in their efforts to seek out the Dwaerindim, to hold back the forces of darkness and evil, and to restore the Sleeping King to his rightful throne.

"Creating fantasy requires imagination and a deft, but subtle, hand which Ed Greenwood has long showed himself capable of in his creation of the "Forgotten Realms" world. Ed's skill lies in his ability to make the ordinary magical, and integrating magic and legends so thoroughly in his work. His sense of humor and drama combine in wondrous adventure tales with depth and pacing that makes his books single sitting treasures."—Mike Stackpole, NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and award-winning game designer

"[A]n agreeable fantasy...the book seems like STAR WARS in an explicitly fantastic setting. It incorporates plenty of vividly depicted action...odd bits of original and usually effective humor, and a real cliffhanger ending that leaves no doubt that this is the first volume in a series, one that promises to be agreeably entertaining all the way."—Roland Green, BOOKLIST (February 15, 2000)

"The creator of TSR's Forgotten Realms™ novels and role-playing scenarios now turns his talents to a new world of magic and bold deeds, crafting a graceful tale of high fantasy."—LIBRARY JOURNAL (February 15, 2000)