The novel centres on a somewhat naive little boy who questions his place in the universe and in the order of things generally, and feels that he has not been told the truth about these matters.
A beguiling and ethereal spirit-lady (Zefnia) entices him into a parallel world and tells him that it is, in many ways, similar to his own world - only a little different. He receives a series of symbolic 'tokens' during his exploits, and is promised the Kingship of the land if is able to overthrow the powerful and despotic Morchy.