Will, Beanpole and a group of other Freemen are chosen to compete in "The Games" held by the Tripods. Winners are taken to The Golden City where, the Freemen hope to collect information on how to destroy the Tripods.
On their way to The Games, via river barge, a suspected plague on board threatens the mission of the boys. Will runs into trouble searching for the captain while ashore.
Just making it to The Games; Will and Beanpole meet up with Fritz, the remaining Freemen contestant. Through stiff competition all three struggle to win the right to be taken to The City Of Gold.
Will and Fritz are taken to The City Of Gold along with the other winners. Upon arrival; Will is selected as a slave for a Master, while Fritz gets an all together different job.
After surviving a severe beating by the Black Guard, Fritz meets another uncapped person who shows him how the city gets its power. Will continues his education by the Masters, and learns of their plans for some of the human race.
Will is introduced to one of the ruling class, a Cognosc, who questions him about his thoughts. Fritz finds a hidden map of the city which reveals a useful secret.
Will escapes from the city leaving Fritz behind to exploit his important position. After drifting in the river; Will is found by, none other than, Beanpole. The two decide to hurry back to The White Mountains to share their new discoveries.
Almost captured by the Black Guard, Will and Beanpole are hidden by a traveling circus. After finding out the leader is going to betray them to the Tripods, Will convinces the other kids working there to escape with them to The White Mountains.
