Mordigan Bryre is a liar. It is his defining characteristic when the reader first meets him. He is also an apprentice bard at the doorway to receiving his journeyman's papers when he is thrown out of his Guild Hall by circumstances that have spiralled beyond his control.
Given a challenge by the witch Freitanya to go to the wizard Talthos and ask for a magical lute which will give him the ability to play brilliantly--his fondest dream--Digan journeys to the wizard's Azure City to seek his fortune. Digan hopes that winning the lute will restore him to favor with his master, Cormeyer Stareyes, the King's bard.
Life is rather complicated by the fact that the Princess Allysian is in love with him...or at least the idea of him. With his dark hair and green eyes, Digan turns many heads, but his own heart belongs to the Princess...despite the fact that he knows he cannot aspire to her hand. Both of them have a great deal of growing up to do in the course of the quest, and Mordigan learns that love is worth any sacrifice.
