The Hafling, half human-half hillcat, is a young slave, beaten, abused, and hated by all. A King's Ranger rescues him, treats him properly, and makes him his apprentice. The student Ranger chooses a name, Harrel, and he learns social skills as he struggles to overcome his anger toward humans. As he passes into adulthood, he is fraught with dangers from, Dwarfs, Barbarians, orges, and worse, Commoner boys. The story tells of his adventures and explans how he overcomes being judged by what he does, rather than who he is.