Erik Eleodum is a simple man. He's content farming his family's homestead in northern Háthgolthane and raising a family, like his father, for the rest of his life. Adventure is the last thing on his mind.Erik's brother, Befel, and his cousin, Bryon, can't think of anything worse than farming for the rest of their lives. They want to be heroes. They want fame and fortune. They want to leave their families and go east to the country of Golgolithul where they are sure to find wealth and great adventure.When these three young men leave their farmstead they discover the world is not so simple or easy. Fortune is laden with treachery, fame must be earned with blood, and adventures are rarely grand. The road eastward is hard. To get there, they must ultimately sell their swords and become friends with thieves, dwarves, soldiers, and mercenaries. They battle a band of ruthless slavers, slip past assassins, and experience the deadly consequences of black magic.Will Erik be able to return to the simple life? Will he unwittingly become famous, rich, or a hero? Will he even survive?