To the Pelbar, the sentence seemed a living death - exile to distant Northwall for a year, facing barbarian tribes, isolated from the security and order of Pelbarigan society.
But the rebellious Jestak embraced his punishment - for only with the lore of Northwall and the battle-craft and bravery of the wild tribes could he free the woman he loved from the slaveholding Emeri. This he swore to do - even if he had to destroy utterly the power of the Emeri . . .