For countless millennia no man or beast has ever succeeded in breaching the stone gateway into Girdlegard Until now Abandoned as a child Tungdil the blacksmith is the only dwarf in a kingdom of men But when he is sent out into the world to deliver a message & reacquaint himself with his people the young foundling finds himself thrust into a battle for which he has not been trained Not only his own safety but the life of every man woman & child in Girdlegard depends upon his ability to embrace his heritage Although he has many unanswered questions Tungdil is certain of one thing no matter where he was raised he is a true dwarf And no one has ever questioned the courage of the Dwarves