A faction of renegade priestesses is seeking to circumvent the Dyan City High Priestess to outlaw "hedge magicians." Their reason is that such "bogus magic" confuses the simple, and diverts awe and respect that ought to be reserved for the true magic worked by priestesses in the name of the Goddess.
Meanwhile, Master Magician Lute arrives in Dyan City on Beltane Eve, driven there by the will of the Goddess.
Is he a sacrifice? Or is he the Hammer of the Goddess?
A novelette detailing a first meeting between priestess of the Goddess, Moonhawk, and traveling magician, Lute.