Shadows lust for human blood to gain True Life as The Black Dragon seeks the Great Circle's close. If he succeeds, mortal men and Magicians will plunge into the darkness of ignorance-slaves to Lord Tamor and Blackwing's lesser minions. The fourth novel in "The Saga of Magiskeep" drives Jamus to face the riddles and tapestries of the Black River as he seeks to fulfill his destiny to become the one true Rivermaster of all the waters of Magic. Magiskeep, Arcula, Grandisite, the armies of Turan and the ancient Knights of the Hand unite against the Black Dragon's forces in an epic battle of wits, might and Magic for the very soul of the world. Caught between the madness of Prince Gareth in the West and the treacherous plans of Tamor in the East, Jamus and his allies must fight for all they hold dear.