Synopsis: From the back cover of the DAW Books first printing: In the age of gods - dwarfs, centaurs, and other Elder Races roamed the lands freely, and the race of Mortals was created as a mere plaything for Lord Death. In the age of wizards - the very earth was tortured by the power games of these immortal children of gods, till wizardry went too far, and the dragons flew to bring the wizards and the world down in flames. In the age of mortals - the Elder Races have withdrawn almost completely from the worlds of humans. Gone, too, are the dreaded wizards. Or so the people of Ardhan believe, for unbeknownst to them, there is one wizard who still survives, a master of evil bent upon claiming lordship over the entire world. No mere mortal can stand against him, so the Elder Races have chosen to intervene one final time. Their gift to Ardhan is Crystal, the Child of the Grove, daughter of Power and the last-born wizard who will ever walk the world. And thus the battle lines are drawn, and the final war is about to begin...