This story began a long time ago, and its echo will continue to sound for a long time... In ancient times, Dalemark was ruled by kings, descendants of the first King Hern. The same Hearne who once went with his sisters and brothers down the great river, and then unexpectedly became the ruler of the River Land. But the dynasty was interrupted long ago, the Golden City of Hern lies in ruins, each count considers himself the sole ruler of his land, the terrible years of bloody wars are approaching, and the spirit of the defeated evil magician Kankredin comes to life... Someone must go through the Royal Path and find the lost crown, someone must unite the country and dispel evil. In this book, the fates of all the heroes of the “Dalemark Quartet” will converge - the young minstrel Moril, the Holland fisherman Mitt, the children of Closty the Snail. But who will lead them?