Wendy Mitchell is not having the college experience she always thought she would. When she first arrived at Gladstown College, she thought she would make friends and go to parties; everything a college student is supposed to do. But here she is, three and a half years later, with no friends on campus and failing grades.

While cleaning lab supplies for extra credit one afternoon, Wendy noticed the closet door swing open all on its own. She investigates the odd happening, only to find herself locked in the closet as the ground rumbles. When the ground stops shaking, and the door opens back up, Wendy realizes she is no longer in the classroom.

Or even in Gladstown.

When she steps out of the closet, she finds herself somewhere in the middle of a forest with a bow being pointed directly at her by a strange man dressed like he’s ready for combat.

According to him, she has been dropped somewhere on the outskirts of the Farewell Kingdom.