The Star of Ruskin, a magnificent sapphire necklace worth hundreds of thousands of florins, has been in the House of Vanderbough for generations. When Lord Byron presents young Lady Aldith with the valuable necklace and asks for her hand in marriage, she eagerly accepts and makes plans to run away to Karniva with him. 
But when the Star of Ruskin disappears, Aldith begins to wonder if she has made a tragic mistake. Is Lord Byron really the kind, gracious nobleman that she has taken him to be, or is he simply using her to gain favor with King Eristan? 
Seeking answers, Aldith reluctantly accepts advice from Lady Prudence and sets out on a quest for Thunder Mountain in order to learn the will of King Emmanuel.