About the book: year / The action of Terry Brooks's first story from the Paladins of Shannara series takes place immediately before the events of his first novel, The Sword of Shannara. The last druid Allanon is in desperate straits, trying to find the last heir of the Jarl of Shannara before the Servants of the Skull destroy them all. Only the last of Shannara's line can stop the Sorcerer-Overlord. The disgraced historian of the Elessidil royal family, Derrivanian, sends Allanon to a man named Ware. Allanon sets off on his journey, unaware that he will fall into a trap..