Javik lives in a country surrounded by mountains and covered in old growth forest.  His ambition is to become a warrior like his father, Tolda, but he must pass Mauhad before he can realize that ambition.  When is father is killed saving the others in his raiding party, Javik despairs of ever reaching that goal without his father’s training.  Goldar, who led the raid when Tolda was killed, convinces the King to allow Javik to train with Tao Shan, the finest mentor in the kingdom.  Javik finds himself among the sons of the wealthy and must adjust to the situation quickly.  While in training he encounters a girl in the forest.  She is Allana an escaped slave, but Javik falls in love with her.  He convinces her to come out of hiding, and she teaches the sling to Tao Shan’s students.