The lighthearted dialogue and high fantasy of the Malloreon continue in its fourth installment. King Belgarion of Riva (known as Garion to his friends) and his companions continue to travel deep into the heart of the vast empire of Mallorea, searching for clues that will indicate the location for their destined confrontation with Zandramas, the evil sorceress/dark priestess who kidnapped Garion's young son Prince Geran. One such clue provides Garion with some truly terrible news: he may have to kill his son in order to save the universe.

The humorous epic fantasy saga the Malloreon wraps up with this fifth volume, as Garion and his friends voyage to Kell, a magically isolated and mysterious city of seers. The city's inhabitants provide Garion with the final clues to the location of the Place Which Is No More, site of the final showdown between the Child of Light and the Child of Dark. Once there, the seeress Cyradis must make a decision that will affect Garion's abducted son Geran, the very gods themselves, and the future course of the universe.