In one volume, three short stories by Jack Vance are among his best works, demonstrating stylistic mastery, wit and the ability to completely capture the reader's attention. Joaz Banbek deploys an army of dragons against the protoplasts who have landed on the planet Aerlith. Xanthen of the Heigdorn Citadel fights the Mecs, whose rebellion threatens the Earth of the distant future. The sorcerer's apprentice, Sam Salazar, must surpass his mentors to save the remnants of the human race on the planet Pangborn.