It has been ten years since the magical Cataclysm, which destroyed the twin strongholds of the two world's most powerful Mages, killing Urtho, creator of the gryphons, and sending his forces into exile. Now Urthro's peoples--human and non-human alike live in a terraced city carved into the face of a gleaming white cliff on the edge of the Western Ocean. Secure at least, …until the fleet of the mysterious Black Kings appears in their harbor, bringing envoys who inform the residents of White Gryphon that their newfound home lies on the northern perimeter of lands claimed by this powerful kingdom. Desperate not to lose their hard won home, Skandranon, along with his longtime friend Amberdrake--agree to accompany the envoys back to the Court of the Black Kings, hoping to negotiate an alliance. …When a high ranking noble who opposes this alliance is found murdered--Skandranon and Amberdrake realize that they are up against unknown enemies who will stop at nothing, even the use of diabolical Blood Magic, to destroy White Gryphon.

Udgivet af DAW 1905

Mercedes Lackey
Amerikansk forfatterinde, gift med Larry Dixon, som hun har skrevet nogle bøger sammen med. Lackey fik udgivet sin første roman I 1987 og har siden produceret et sandt væld af bøger, enten alene eller sammen med en medforfatter. Mange af hendes bøger (inklusive hendes første; "Arrows of the Queen") foregår I hendes "Valdemar" verden, hvor der er flere trilogier og nogle enkeltbind som foregår. Lackey har også skrevet flere bøger om Diana Tregarde, som er okkult detektiv. Desuden har hun skrevet bøger I andres verdener; bl.a. I computerspillet "Bard's Tale", og en "Darkover" bog sammen med Marion Bradley.