Jaspen washed ashore upon the island of Jirvalla as an infant. Human in size and shape yet hued as a killer whale, he is the only one of his kind on the entire isle. Kama is his only friend and the girl with whom Jaspen yearns to bind hearts, to become Forever-Ones.
When the Cove tribe's Mutahn dies, Kama urges Jaspen to join her in secretly following the throne-seekers to the Hoodoah's cave. Their furtive intention is to spy the sacred choosing. The horrors they witness are unjustly blamed upon them and the pair is forced to flee for their lives. Moments later, a blade splits Kama across the middle. Then Jaspen tumbles into a hidden pit leading to the UnderDown, where all trespassers are made to be slaves.
Alone, banished and hopeless, Jaspen is visited in dreams by a mystical force, a loving yet enigmatic divine being. As powerful as his newfound deity proves to be, Jaspen still doubts the god's promise: a foundling will rise from exile, challenge a ruthless warlord, unite a fractured island and unlock a cryptic prophecy that will reshape life on Jirvalla forevermore.
