West of the land called Artemisia, past mountains, valleys, arroyos, and mesas, atop a sinuous, canyon-climbing road, the Place of Power spreads clawlike at the edge of the chasm. Here are walls to hold out the dragons, ogres, and goblins of the ruined lands. And from here the Witch, Quince Ellel, peers out into a world of faded pageantry, archetypal villages, and gang-filled cities decimated by violence and plague.The scattered remnants of humanity recount legends of the time when most of mankind went to seek a better world. They know that they were left behind, only to face the encroachment of the netherfolk and the terrible, enigmatic creatures called walkers. Yet not even the Witch knows the stunning truth behind the myth and prophecy that fuel her terrible ambition - and she is determined to capture those who will unlock these deepest secrets.In another part of the countryside, a young girl named Orphan is maturing into a beautiful woman in the enchanted village that is her home. And somewhere nearby, a young man named Abasio Cermit is seeking adventure after running away from his family's small farm. Now, as the terrible walkers scour the countryside, Abasio and Orphan begin separate journeys toward each other and the shared destiny that will change their world forever. Read Less