Twenty years have passed since the events told in The Voyage Of The Jerle Shannara trilogy. Grianne Ohmsford rescued from oblivion by her brother Bek has renounced her former life as the evil Ilse Witch & now serves as the head of a new Druid Council. Her purpose is to defend the Four Lands from anarchy & warfare. Such was the destiny foretold for her by the Druid Walker Boh. But there are those who cannot easily forgive her past actions & are loathe to follow her leadership. When Griannes enemies cause her to disappear only a few loyal friends can help her. The dwarf Tagwen; Griannes nephew Pen Ohmsford; & the Elf Prince Ahren Elessedil begin a desperate journey to find Grianne & return her to the Druids keep at Paranor. Their quest is urgent their way uncertain & perilous for the darkest of magics have been used to spirit Grianne away. Pen Ohmsford is descended from the line of Jerle Shannara the first of the Elven Kings but his own magic seems small & inadequate when measured against that of his aunts enemies who will stop at nothing to thwart Pens efforts to rescue his aunt & restore the nascent Druid Council. & there is another danger. An ancient & deadly power has found its way out into the world. If things are not put to rights the danger to the Four Kingdoms will be immeasurable...