Synopsis: Formal combat was the art for which Laril lived. Heir to the position of the Aeyrie leader Ishta, Laril had spent years rebelling against future responsibilities. But now the youth had at last gone too far. For in an illegal fight-flying duel, Laril had ruined the wings of a noted air dancer. And the only acceptable price for this crime was exile. Embarking on a long and dangerous flight to a far distant Aeyrie community, Laril was caught in a terrible storm, blown helplessly off course to an unknown land, and found refuge with Raulyn, a powerful Aeyrie Mage. But what at first appeared a wondrous haven soon became a frightening prison as Laril became an unwilling pawn in Raulyn's deadly plans for conquest - plans which, if successful, would set race against race in a devastating war of destruction... (from the back cover of the first edition)