Every hundred years the Overlords descend from their Castles for the Great Hunt, where they have their sport with the people of Ayrn. When Moss is captured by the infamous DeathGuard, he thinks his life is over - for none have ever escaped, when both the Overlords and the Hunting Grounds are out to kill. What he doesn't know is that also captured for the Hunt is the enigmatic Farthing - who has a plan to topple the Overlords from Their thrones of spite. But he and the others must first survive, a task not to be scoffed at - and deadly machinations are at work, that threaten to leave the Overlords in control, for ever.