Book summary

As the third installment of the sword-and-sorcery epic the Malloreon opens, Garion and his friends have been captured by the powerful Emperor of Mallorea, 'Zakath, who gives little credence to their quest. Worse, the Emperor's attention is distracted by a conflict with the neighboring land of Cthol Murgos and by rumors of demons being raised elsewhere in the Empire. But somehow, Garion must persuade the Emperor, whom he is beginning to like and respect, to let them leave to continue their search for the evil Zandramas and Garion's kidnapped infant son.