Will and Henry encouraged by vagrant Ozymandias are determined to remain free from the control of the Tripods.

Determined to escape capping by the Tripods and reach the White Mountains, Will and Henry must go to France. They manage to get on a boat but the Captain has other plans for them.

Will and Henry journey through France with their new companion, Beanpole trying to reach the Free Men in the White Mountains. They encounter danger in the ruined city of Paris.

Will and Eloise have fallen in love. Henry and Beanpole decide that they must leave the Chateau. The leave Will behind to follow on later, if he can, with Eloise.

Henry and Beanpole have left the chateau to continue their journey to the White Mountains, leaving Will to follow with Eloise after the tournament. But de Serlat has other plans.

The boys continue to help the Vichot family with their grape harvest but when it's finished decide to continue their search of the White Mountains.

As the route to the White Mountains becomes increasingly difficult, the boys grow tired and hungry.

The boys finally come in sight of the White Mountains. The boys' trial is in progress when Daniel arrives and takes them away in a prison cart.

A suspected plague threatens the boys' mission. Will runs into trouble.

Will and Beanpole miss their ship to the Games after a Black Guard pursues them.

Will and Beanpole have been helped by Zerlina and Papagena to escape the evil clutches of Kommandant Goetz and must now reach the stadium before the Annual Games commence.

In the year 2090 AD, the Earth has for over a century been under the rule of the Tripods - large machine-like alien beings.

Will and Beanpole are travelling with Ali Pasha's circus disguised as clowns. They must reach the White Mountains before winter with vital information about the Masters' plans.

Now that Eloise has been taken to the City of Gold to serve the Tripods, Will no longer wishes to stay at Chateau Ricrodeau and sets off to catch up with Henry and Beanpole.

As winners of the games, Will and Fritz are taken to the City of Gold.

Will is fortunate to have been chosen to serve one of the 'Masters' - alien creatures who created the Tripods to carry them about. Fritz is caught sneaking into the control room.

Will finds out more about the Masters' plans for the earth and discovers Eloise in the Hall of Beauty.

Will and Fritz are learning more and more about the Masters' future plans for earth.

Coggy decides to leave, which causes a power crisis in the city. Will's Master accuses Will of driving the Cognosc away and in order to save himself he kills his Master.

Evading the Black Guards, Will and Fritz manage to escape to the White Mountains.