Synopsis: The crowning challenge! Forced to flee Averidan by ship or die at the hands of the barbarous Cayd invaders, King Liras-ven has also fled his destiny, refusing to wear and bear the burden of the Crystal Crown and, and through its magic, serve as an instrument of the gods. Driven from his realm, facing new enemies with every landfall, and with the Crown split in three in the course of a deadly battle, Liras and his comrades have no choice but to continue on the seemingly aimless wanderings which are leading them from one peril to the next. But unbeknownst to Liras, the gods have charted the path he is following, and though he may be able to flee mere human enemies, he will never escape the unseen power which is drawing both him and the Crown on to a final confrontation that will determine the fate not only of Liras but all of Averidan! (from the back cover of the DAW Books first edition)