Arrival at Castria
In the Summer of 1986 after Mike and A.J.'s graduation from high school, the pair, along with their friend John were in their hometown of Santa Cruz visiting a place called the Cooper House, a building filled wish shops, when A.J. was drawn to a storage room filled with junk… and a large standing mirror that was inside. John, touching the mirror, disappears.
After a voice compels A.J. to touch the mirror, both Mike and A.J. are pulled through the mirror to Castria, where they are confronted by Alastair. John, not supposed to have touched the ensorcelled mirror, loses his physical form and is trapped inside the mirror. Within minutes of their arrival, just as Alastair is explaining why he brought them there - to train the mageborn A.J. in the ways of magic - a portal opens and tentacles grab the old Mage and pull him through. He has been captured by the Red Mage.
They find themselves in Alastair's Manor along with only the servants, who quickly accept A.J. as Alastair's new apprentice - and then they meet Leitha the Fae, and upon telling her the truth about their origin, she begins to acquaint them with Castria, and helps A.J. learn his first few spells. Also noting Mike's resemblance to the Elven prince of Silverwood, she then recommends that they can learn more by traveling to Silverwood to see the Elven Queen.
Traveling by wagon driven by one of Alastairs servants, Gerrardo, they made their way toward Silverwood, stopping briefly in the town of Scotch Valley. Then as they enter the mountains of Silverwood, they all hear he sound of a loud bell… and an enchantment is broken, and Mike is now revealed to be an Elf. Just as they are adjusting to this, they encounter a group of Gnomes in the road. After a tense moment, they agree to protect the Gnomes from bandits, wolves, and very large rabbits, they are welcomed to their home of Santi's Village.
After a party with the Gnomes, they stay the night, and in the night there is at attack by two Dire Wolves. Both A.J. and Mike are injured, but they dispatch the wolves. Using his newfound healing spell, A.J. manages to heal them both and they get back to sleep. In the morning their ride, Gerrardo, has left them there to return home. Continuing their journey, heading up into the mountains.
In the mountains they encounter and fight some Hobgoblins, clearing out a cave hideout of them, and then, continuing their journey, they encounter a dryad named Heideigh, who also mistakes Mike for the Elven prince. She leads them toward the Silverwood capital, until they finally encounter the Elves Lancelas and Gariel, who have been sent to bring him to the Queen, thinking he was the prince.
Finally they meet Queen Mabin, who reveals that Mike is actually the true Prince Mikkel, her son. For his protection she switched him and the original Mike when they were very young. The human Mikkel, feeling inadequate as an Elf, departed some time ago to “find himself”. Mike and A.J., now using the names Mikkel and Ajay, they settle into life at the palace, with both studying combat, Mikkel learning politics and etiquette, and Ajay studying magic.