Follows 'The Magic of Recluce'
Dorrin, a young scion of the Order magicians on the magical island of Recluce, is fascinated by the workings of machines. Intelligent and determined, Dorrin could be the Leonardo da Vinci of his age. But his passion for scientific knowledge and his insights violate the rules of the Order magic Recluce, for his interest is in forbidden knowledge. Now he must go into exile in the lands of Chaos to pursue his dangerous inventions.
Yet he remains loyal to the idea of Order, and is tortured by the knowledge that to preserve it he must constantly create new engines of war, for the forces of the Chaos wizards are moving across the land, devouring whole countries and creating an empire - whose ultimate aim is the destruction of Recluce.
