It's a race against time to save her country, but it could cost her life . . . Karigan G'ladheon always seems to be getting into fights.

But as she trudges through the forest, contemplating her inevitable expulsion from school, a horse bursts through the woodland, rider slumped over its neck with two arrows embedded in his back. As the young man lies dying on the road, he tells her of his mission.

He is a Green Rider - one of the legendary messengers of the king - and he has a life or death message that must reach King Zachary.

He makes Karigan swear to deliver it, to keep it secret and, with his last breath, warns her to 'beware the shadow man . . .