Prince Alto dreams of being a great hero like his mother, the Lady Brightblade, who saved the Kingdom of Skald from the evil Pale Drake. Her legend is known throughout the kingdom, woven into stories and songs by the magical bard who fought by her side. The kingdom is at peace now, and the time for heroes has passed. But Alto has been learning the bard's magic and his mother's legacy, and he has grown restless. Determined to have an adventure of his own, Alto runs away. Soon he is meeting new friends and encountering new magic. But as he travels from town to town, Alto discovers that new dangers threatening the kingdom might be bigger than he can handle alone—and being a hero is harder than the stories made is seem.