It is the first book written in the Legends of the Riftwar and is the only one of the series to be coauthored by William R. Forstchen.

Hartraft's Marauders, a band of kingdom raiders, have come across a Tsurani patrol at a garrison overrun by moredhel (dark elves).

However, in Feist's original Riftwar novel, Magician, Borric of Crydee is given command of the Armies of the West, with Brucal serving as his second.

The "mad King", Rodric the Fourth, had proposed giving command of the armies to Brucal, at the suggestion of Duke Caldric of Rillanon.

However, when the Tsurani attack and overrun some of Brucal's Yabonese garrisons, the King became outraged and instead gives command to Borric.