As the scholar and scribe of Tornor, Kerris has been in training for the past seventeen years. But it's not until his brother Kel of the Cheari culture teaches him the psychic art of patterning, that the city of Elath comes under attack and Kerris must draw upon these new talents to fight the dangers of psychic warfare. It is in these battles that he learns what a warrior's life is like, and discovers what wasn't taught to him in his studies - perhaps the most important element of all - love.