The story opens with Daniel, the young Healer from the Forest, knocking on a door in the Northern Palace. He had been summoned to evaluate the King's daughter who is near death from appendicitis and bloodletting. He is confronted by the royal physicians who were ordered to allow Daniel to evaluate the Princess. His success creates jealousy in the palace, and Daniel finds himself facing a death sentence for violating a church rule for speaking out about the true nature of the half brains. He is rescued by the Princess and the half brain, Betty, who has a way of knowing things. Daniel is forced to flee to the safety of the Forest. War ensues when the Southern Kingdom seizes the source of the Sacred Water and denies all others access to this essential substance. Daniel and Heather join forces in the battle to save their peoples.