Long ago, the great wizard Merlin planted the seed that would become the peaceful world of Avalon. Now, though, Avalon is suffering from mysterious droughts. And when the very stars begin to lose their light, it seems that the Lady of the Lake's dire predictions are about to come true. The fate of Avalon now rests with three young people: Tamwyn, a wandering wilderness guide; Elli, an apprentice priestess; and Scree, a young eagle man. One of them is the true heir of Merlin, the only person who can save Avalon, and one of them is the dreaded child of the Dark Prophecy, fated to destroy it.