Sequel to the Sun Wolf and Starhawk series. While her wizard partner Sun Wolf is away, warrior woman Starhawk gets a message from the band of mercenaries which Sun Wolf used to lead, and to which Starhawk once belonged. The mercenaries are beseiging a city, and are being attacked by a creature they're pretty sure is magic - despite the fact that nearly every wizard in the world was killed a century ago. Sun Wolf, born with the powers of a wizard, doesn't know how to use them; Starhawk is torn between finding a wizard to instruct him, and saving the lives of her former friends.