The story takes place in various locales of the land of Ere. There are many civilized nations that make up this land. The reader first meets the main character Lobon as he approaches the abyss where his enemy and destiny lie. The abyss is deep and dangerous.

Within its walls are lava flows, falling rocks, and treacherous fire ogres.

As the story advances, the reader is transported outside of Time, back to Carriol, to the Bay of Pelli, to Zandour, then to the high desert where a crystal dome stands alone. It is at this crystal dome that the climax of the story grips the reader. To aid the reader, Murphy includes a map of the land of Ere at the beginning of the book.

Because this book is fantasy, the time may be either the future or the past. It is a time of dragons, Seers, flying...