Prince Arutha and his allies must confront an ancient, malevolent force to prevent the destruction of their world. As the necromancer Marcos the Black unleashes his dark sorcery, the protagonists are forced to rally their remaining strength for a final, decisive confrontation. The narrative follows Arutha as he navigates the political and magical instability threatening the link between the worlds of Kelewan and Midkemia. Through a third-person perspective, the story tracks the physical and strategic preparations for the climactic battle beneath the walls of Sethanon.

This volume is widely recognized as the conclusion to a significant epic fantasy trilogy that helped define the genre in the 1980s. Critics have historically praised the work for its ambitious scope and the successful synthesis of complex world-building with traditional heroic tropes. Readers often highlight the satisfying resolution of long-standing plot threads that span the entire series. The narrative is frequently cited for its ability to balance intimate character moments against the backdrop of a massive, world-altering struggle.