Pryderi, son of Rhiannon, is the rightful heir of the kingdom, and as such should be able to enjoy some measure of happiness in his rule. But this son of Manawyddan must pay a heavy price for the secret of his birth, a price exacted by the immortal ones against the entire kingdom.

When Manawyddan and Pryderi try to challenge the curse set against their people, a terrible silence falls upon the land. All but these two and their companions, fair Rhiannon and Pryderi's wife Kigva, are swept away - people, animals, even insects - and a terrible testing begins.

Manawyddan, denied the throne of his brother Bran the Blessed, must summon all the wit and strength, all the spirit and courage of his illustrious family to battle the ferocious magic of the gods, whose vengeance has stripped all life from the land.