The world is a dangerous place. War brews, plagues and famines destroy, kingdoms rise and fall – but not in the village of Quern. There, life is good. The air is clear, the town is peaceful, and the crops and children grow tall and strong. The people of Quern consider themselves lucky… not knowing how much they may owe to the special talents of one particular farmer.

But while he may know all ways to make things grow, Tom knows that some blights cannot be prevented. When the outside world comes to Quern, and the rot begins to set in, there may be only so much one person can do.