While many of the participants in the Quest for the Golden Fungus have been lost, the Quest continues under the leadership of Is'a'pai'a Gold-Seeker. Di'fa'kro'mi's Scribe Chi'mo'a'tu, with the help of wandering Remembrancers and the Star-Brings, undertakes to compose the tale of the final adventures, with the Seer Da'sask'ni'a as the principal narrator.
As the remaining Companions set forth on the last leg of their voyage, new additions to the company lead to both jubilation and tragedy. Then they must dare the dangerous Wandering Rocks and the Closing Gate before sailing to the End of the World to find the Fungus. After planting the reptile's teeth and dealing with the results, Is'a'pai'a finally returns home to Hwai'ran'chet, bringing along a surprise addition to the company – a Sorcerer and Seer who may be far more dangerous than she appears.