The Undertowners begin a mass exodus, fleeing to a new life in a vast, beautiful area of justice and equality, the Free Glades.

The exodus is led by Rook Barkwater, the hero of the story, and the others in a breakaway group of academics known as the librarian knights.

Only through the timely arrival of the Freeglade Lancers are the Librarians and Undertowners saved (combined with Xanth killing the Roost mother).

The Sky Pirates, the Librarian Knights, the Freeglade Lancers and the Ghosts of Screetown fight determinedly but are outnumbered.

"[1] Kathleen Isaacs also thought it a good end to the series praising its, "complex and well-worked-out fantasy world.