The High King, Uther Pendragon, has died, and the remaining kings and clan lords go to war, each contesting for the vacant throne until Merlin issues a mysterious challenge, to reveal the true King. Gawain, the oldest son of King Lot, though eager for a real adventure, is apprehensive. Will the crown rest on his father's head, then on his, in years to come? Or will another claim Britain? And what do the strange, recurring dreams of a red-gold dragon, summoning a ring of light, really mean? His aunt, the witch, Morgan, once prophesied that he will be his father's downfall. Merlin, on the other hand, said that he will be tested to see if he will overcome the darkness Morgan placed on his family and serve his fate. His test has only begun.