Sturm flees, leaving the Court facing the prospect of another war as Magnus died without heirs. As the two main candidates vie for support, Lord Obrey is approached by the Amadan who tells him of another solution: there is a distant member of Magnus' family still living on the borders of Faerie who holds the direct line of succession and could unite the two opposing sides. Obrey rushes to collect the boy-king Auberon before his opponents learn of him and have him killed, finding him being raised by his cousin, a faerie called Dymphna who Obrey once loved and lost, and a brownie called Bridie. The four return to the Court, and with Obrey's wise and steady guidance Auberon is crowned King and defeats his opponents on the field of battle
