Fan Casting Master of the Grove

When his home is destroyed after an attack, Derin sets out to look for his missing father, captured by soldiers of the Citadel. But he is handicapped by his lameness and forced to use a crutch; his only companion on his quest are an old woman, Marna, and a raven which mysteriously attaches itself to him. Derin's people, upland farmers are caught up in a war between the people of the mountains; governed by the Sacred Circle of the Grove, and those of the plains, ruled by the Council of the Citadel. There should have been peace between them according to the formula devised by Wenborn the Wise. But Krob has seized power by murdering one of the ten members of the Circle, and with the aid of the magical staff of the Grove proceeds to unleash a terrible vengeance against the plains people.