In a small village named Tuluva, Jareth, an unemployed mercenary, and his wife and two children are raising goats to sustain themselves. Things go well for them until the land-baron of Ogress raises their taxes, forcing Jareth to pick up his crossbow and return to the battlefield. 

Jareth has an even more pressing problem than keeping his family out of debtor's prison. His son Crispin has seizures that are caused by magic and if Jareth doesn't find the source soon, it could be fatal as the boy hears voices instructing him to kill his parents. 

In his search for work, Jareth is late for every war that rages and is soon accused of being an enemy to the crown. With his arrest he learns his son has disappeared. He bequeaths King Barin to help him.

Taking pity on the man, and seeing his nephew is developing the same symptoms, King Barin consents. Their search takes them through a portal and into a chasm known as the Neverworld. Here enchantments and sorcery give birth to an unfathomable evil, and their children are the instruments of its ploy.

 When King Barin discovers who is behind this plot, his anger rages from a broken heart, yet he is tested by the very magic the thaumaturge once wielded.