The book of Artemas concerning men, and the things that men did do, at the time when there was war

In the opening pages, a meticulous scribe named Artemas begins chronicling a time of uneasy peace in the land of Eur. He introduces Willi, ruler of the people of Hu, whose ambition and envy stir a dark undercurrent beneath the calm. His son Mud mirrors his father's pride, eager to test the limits of power and influence while whispering counsel that fuels the looming conflict.

A traveling wise man, Bern, arrives at Willi’s court, offering a striking parable about an oak tree forced to contend with surrounding woods. As the king seeks the story’s meaning, the tension between father and son sharpens, hinting that the fragile peace may soon give way to war. The ancient allegory becomes a mirror for the characters’ own struggles, setting the stage for the turmoil that will soon engulf their world.