Lady Sandrilene fa Tolen sat in the room that was her study . . . In her hands she held a thread circle, one that included four lumps spaced equally apart. It was a symbol of the magical bond she shared with her foster-brother and two foster-sisters. Once she could have reached out through their connection without even touching the thread . . .
This sweeping saga is the final in the eight titles of 'The Magic Circle' and 'The Circle Opens' series. The four young mages (Tris, Sandry, Briar and Daja) are now young adults and are back together again after their years of independence, but their old bond is broken. Travelling together to the kingdom of Namorn, they do battle with the Namornese mages, as well as indulging in a battle of wills with the Namornese Empress, who goes to great lengths to force her young relative Sandry to stay in the country. Thrown together in dramatic circumstances, the four young mages eventually reforge their old connections, but it is now a more mature and satisfying bond.