In 1169, Norman mercenaries are landing in Ireland. But Munster girl Ailie Ua Caoimh has a more immediate problem: getting the land-rent for her family's farm. When she pulls one of the Fair Ones out of a fish, he seems the perfect solution, but as he foretold, earth magic draws to her. Soon Ailie has to accept help from a changeling without a name. He leads her straight into the wrath of the king of the Fair Ones. Seeking a way to save herself, Ailie enters service in the Thomond court, where she finds that kings are not necessarily to be trusted. Soon she is embroiled with the invaders at a time when the fate of her land teeters between freedom and foreign domination.