Bairn is a prince of the island kingdom of Andra-La. During a naval battle, Bairn is mortally wounded and thrown overboard. He is ready to see his love again, Neva. An entity responds to his call. In exchange for his life, Bairn becomes his dead-living servant, charged with killing the gods of Ur. Neva, thinking Bairn dead, devotes himself to the goddess Llyra, and becomes his herald.