War rocks Ysstrhm. Palix and her followers—with Snydur by her side—confront Mascar, Chid, and his followers in the opposition confront the wardens in the City. Shat’s followers rise against the gooks in the Par Rrelom, and Chovus leads his blue-clad mounts down from the Enscarf to retake the Town of the Fishers. The formidable army of black-clad warriors led since Jaltran’s death by the unknown one called “the Leader” mass at the fortress at the Crossroads. Caught up in battle, Snydur’s hope of regaining Palix and finding Tisoo dims. For good or ill, his quest is coming to its end.
Douglas Browning, retired university professor of philosophy, lives outside Georgetown, Texas, where he labors at length over poems and novels, stays up throughout the night reading, writing, listening to jazz, and smoking cigars, and enjoys life in his countryside hacienda with his talented and beautiful wife.