In part one of the trilogy, Mikal, a blacksmith's son, enjoys working with fiery metal in his father's forge. But when the sorcerers' Guild of Constant Working comes to his small village for a Gleaning, the young boy's destiny is changed forever. Mikal begins a life of servitude at the Guild and soon learns of the magical world around him. Before long, he is apprenticed to the most powerful wizard in all of Phalia—Master Harlano. Mikal's new Master commands an army of wizards, but even he must answer to the mysterious rulers of the Guild. But when Harlano pursues a strange ambition of his own, will Mikal follow his Master—or stand against him? With help from his scruffy friend Lyra and a magical metal head, Mikal confronts danger at every turn as he uncovers the mystery of the Brightworking.

"Harlano will stop at nothing to capture Orry. The metal head contains magical knowledge that the evil wizard is desperate to obtain. Only the young apprentice Mikal and his scrappy friend Lyra stand in his way. From the Miracle Fair, through the perilous woods of Periskold, down the rushing Tombow River, and to the coast of Farhaven, Mikal and Lyra must evade the powerful Harlano and his henchmen. The two youngsters fight dangerous creatures and face mysterious magic throughout their daring journey. Can they keep Orry safe from Harlano and the dark forces that stand behind him, or will the rogue wizard uncover the secret that could change the world?"