Beset by invasion from the east, the empire of Lautun must try to settle its own religious differences, whilst also throwing back the barbarian hordes before they reach the strategic city of Arrandin. The mage council battle for the elder gods, the Aeshta, against the Emporer Rhydden.

Talut, a powerful bear of a man with bright red hair, a booming laugh, and a gentle heart, and his tall, dark-haired sister, Tulie, are the leaders of the Lion Camp of the Mamutoi. It is here that Ayla finds her first women friends, but some among the Mamutoi dislike Ayla because she was raised by “flatheads,” their name for the people of the Clan. Ayla is haunted by her memories of the Clan because Rydag, a child of mixed parentage living with the Mamutoi, bears so strong a resemblance to her...

Rhapsody is a woman, a Singer of some talent, who is abducted by half-breeds and dragged along on an epic voyage that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled world.

Livak is bored. Winter in the Kellarin colony has its amusements but she's pretty much exhausted them and is eager to be doing something else. When Ryshad and Temar tell her of their plan to reclaim the southern settlement established by the original colonists, Livak reckons she may as well go along too. What she doesn't reckon on are the pirates looting the midway islands. Meanwhile In Hadrumal, the wizards are increasingly enmeshed in their own politics .