Water. On Athas, this is life, money and power. The water caves under Urik become a haven for political refugees and runaway slaves, a safe haven from Athas' predators and defilers. But one of these desecrators brings destruction to this refuge. Matra, who fled from the light of the sun into the safety of the dungeons, must come to the surface to once again bring peace underground. But it's not that simple. Striving to achieve her goal, she ends up in the palace of the wizard king, in the ancient Druid grove and beyond.