Arilyn Moonblade has always feared the elfshadow, the essence of her sword's magic. When she learns the terrible truth behind her inherited moonblade, she vows to find a way to escape her fate. The half-elf seeks answers from the elves of Evermeet, but is asked in exchange to go to the aid of a band of forest elves who are threatened with extinction. Posing as a moonelf warrior, Arilyn is drawn into the world of the wild elves. What begins as a means to an end becomes a deeply personal commitment, and Arilyn is prepared to do anything - even sacrifice her moonblade's magic - to win freedom for the forest elves. But when her personal quest endangers those she loves - Foxfire, the charismatic leader of the wild elves, and the human bard Danilo Thann, her Harper partner - she will risk far more.