When Reiffen chooses to return to Ussene and learn magic from the Wizards, Avender despairs that his friend has become the Wizards' pawn. Ferris is not so certain. If Reiffen is completely bad, she wonders, why did he bring Giserre with him? Might he actually be hoping instead that his mother will help him take what he wants from the Wizards, rather than the Wizards taking what they want from him?

A few years pass, and Ferris's and Avender's world quickly expands. Visiting King Brioss in Wayland, they find themselves becoming friends with his son, Prince Brannis. Despite their initial misgivings, Brannis soon becomes almost as good a friend as Reiffen once was. The prince visits Valing frequently, especially to see Ferris, which makes Avender jealous. However war is finally brewing in Ussene and everyone, from Malmoret to Issinlough, must first deal with the threat of an invasion led by Reiffen, who has become almost as powerful a mage as the Three.

But has Reiffen really changed? Or is he perhaps, as Ferris desperately hopes, and Avender absolutely refuses to believe, playing a deeper game against the Wizards after all?

Who is good, and who is evil, is never quite clear in The Stoneways.

This edition also includes the original story Nolo's Adventures in the Pearl Islands.