In a medieval world, song and music are suppressed by the almighty church. A group of strolling friars brings melody to those in need. But a fearsome brotherhood known as The Black Hounds hope to eradicate music. They regularly observe the operations of the Music Bearers and aim to hunt them to extinction. The secret musical order embraces a teenager named Elis and raises him to be one of their last carriers of song. He must fulfil his mission, while the Black Hounds seek to destroy him. Although Elis never speaks about a childhood romance, he feels great sadness about how his relationship with a girl ended and he now faces a life of celibacy. The longing he suffers will interfere with his musical quest. Meanwhile, an earnest Black Hound newcomer is resolved to make a name for himself by seizing an important undercover Music Bearer's agent. Can he pick up this secretive operator? Or will his talented rival, the ruthless music-hunter, Zadock, get to her first? Will the Black Hounds eliminate music utterly? Will the light of harmony be yielded? Can a single young person rescue euphony? And will this uprooted foundling care whether music lives or dies? Wouldn't he sooner walk away from such a desperate ministry?