Sinister changes are afoot in Arash-Felloren. Imorren, the first woman to lead the Kyrosdyn - the crystal workers - has secretly ordered the transfer of the Jyolan Fighting Pits to Barran, the mercenary who controls most of the crystal trade. It will give him great power in the huge and ancient city. But why would Imorren do this? And why would she bring to the surface a creature from the caves deep below the cty - a creature of ancient myth - a creature she calls 'the harbinger of a new age'? Sensing the awful and growing shadow of Imorren's intentions, Atlon, a Learned Brother from a distant land, knows that she must be stopped. But he is deeply afraid. He cannot enlist the help of his Elders. Nor even warn them. He is no warrior and he must oppose her alone.