When Princess Maria of Soprafini is kidnapped on the eve of her wedding to the ruthless Prince Ferrian of Rustra, she realizes she has been a pawn in his hands. For he, together with the monstrous Fireflies, plans the destruction of the whole of Soprafini. and only Maria, her maid Philippa und their newfound friends, Jos and Gerain can stop him. But what is the secret of the mysterious and wonderful arethusans? And why doese Philippa see visions of a webbed hand pointing to a drowned valley? As Maria is inexorably drawn towads her final destiny, she can hear the beating wings of the Fireflies moving ever closer behind.