Long ago, the world of Shea Ohmsford was torn apart by the wars of ancient Evil. But in the Vale, the half-human, half- elfin Shea now lives in peace - until the mysterious, forbidding figure of Alanon appears, to reveal that the supposedly long dead Warlock Lord lives again, and will destroy the world...Shea, the sole true dscendant of Jerle Shannara, must embark upon the elemental quest to find the sword, the only weapon powerful enough to keep the creatures of darkness at bay.