This is the story of Svarnil, an apprentice bard chosen by the immortal Cumarun to travel to the land of the Deerfolk and rescue them from a shadowy warrior king and the mysterious Death that follows him. There is just one difficulty. Svarnil is no warrior hero. She has never learned sword fighting, cannot perform magic, and seems to have no special heroic powers. But what other ways can there be of meeting the dangers and conflicts she faces? As her adventures among mages, monsters, and spirits unfold, Svarnil learns what it means to be a true bard. She must also discover whether the gifts she has will be enough to bring her through the challenges before her. This is a story about doing right even when the effect seems small, and following your leadings even when you don't know where they will take you."