Car-En, a ringstation anthropologist on her first Earth field assignment, observes a Viking-like village in the Harz mountains. As Car-En secretly observes the Happdal villagers, she begins to see them as more than research subjects (especially Esper, a handsome bow-hunter).

When Esper's sister is taken by an otherworldly sword-wielding white-haired man, she can no longer stand by as a passive witness.

Knowing the decision might end her career, she cuts off communication with her advisor and pursues the abductor into the mountains.