Thessalyn is a gifted, blind child from a peasant family. She's been sent to the prestigious school of minstrels on the island of Mance, but she feels like an awkward outsider. Things seem to improve when the school loans her a griffin, Chesher, for reading and navigating. However, Chesher has her own handicap -- stumps where her wings should be.

One day in the library, they find an ancient book in a language that Chesher can't or won't read to Thessalyn. Chesher seems frightened by the mysterious book, but hums a bit of the tune at Thessalyn's request. The haunting melody is the key that will unlock secrets from the past and change the course of both their futures.