It's 1872, and adventurous Vesper Holly and her guardian set out for the tiny country of Illyria, on a quest for its legendary treasure. But once Vesper and Brinnie arrive, they are plunged into a fierce struggle between rebel forces -- and someone is out to kill the two of them! If anyone can triumph over those kind of odds, it's Vesper -- one of Lloyd Alexander's most intrepid (and best-selling) heroines.