Young orphan Verlys is one of many children adopted by an old monk called only "Paragon". Many gullibly hope life at the monastery will treat them better than that at the orphanage. However, once Verlys learns to walk the path of the strange order that adopted him, they quickly discover he's a prodigy in their ways, enduring painful meditations and finding truths in himself not many adults have learned.

With that knowledge, the Paragon makes sure Verlys' talents are properly used. Like with many things, the Paragon can seemingly tell the future of the Valley of Rivers, a place not even on the same continent as the monastery. A war is coming there, the Paragon claims. He sends Verlys to the strange continent of Sciathos to learn both language and culture in order to prevent the war. How a fifteen-year-old is supposed to prevent war? Verlys doesn't know.

But the orders of the Paragon are absolute.

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