Who shall be worthy to rule Gadalla? He must prove himself by winning the gold medallion. Prince Trave, sure of his rights and disgusted with the selfish uncle who reigns in his stead, vows to get the medallion back. The only problem, he thinks, is to find it.

When the king of Kapnos arrives, telling of enemies who are once again eyeing the treasures of Gadalla, Trave realizes that he must act at once. Thinking the king of Kapnos can help him get the medallion, Trave agrees to ride with him. On the long journey, Trave encounters spies, an earthquake, an immense bog inhabited by a mysterious hermit, and giant birds of prey. But none of these dangers can compare to the real test Trave must meet to prove he truly can wear his father's medallion with honor.

Learning early the power of allegory and fiction from writers such as John Bunyan, Dawn Watkins found fantasy the best dress for the story of one boy's struggles to become king. Her study of history and her interest in horsemanship blended into this adventure, giving her an engaging way to present the themes of humility versus pride, reality versus appearance, and good versus evil.

From the back of the book