Synopsis: From the back cover of the Ace first edition: In the cities and villages of Rekyvid, the tale of the rise of the MageLord Valerian is not ended. A dark new chapter is being written in blood... It is the story of the king named Gavin, a good man crippled by his fear of the Power. It is the story of his First Knight, Mathen, who delights in hunting down and destroying all those who possess any part of that which is forbidden. It is the story of the men and women, rich and poor, old and young, who fall victim to Mathen's unreasoning wrath. And it is the story of a most unlikely hero. A young noble named Ian, cousin to the king, who risks all to forge a route of escape for those in power. And on his perilous journey, discovers the Power within himself...