"The City of Qushmarrah is uneasy under the rule of the Herodians -- short, balding men whose armies would never have conquered the city had not the great and evil wizard Narkar been killed and sealed in his citadel; had not the savage nomad Datars turned coat and sided with the invaders; had not some traitor opened the fortress to them. Not many would welcome the return of the old religion, the bloody return of wizardry-- but there are some patriots who would accept the return of the devil they know, if it meant the return of independence"--Page 4 of cover.