Gereint of Casmantium knows little about the recent war in which his king tried to use griffins and fire to wrest territory from the neighbouring country of Feierabiand . . . but he does know that his kingdom's unexpected defeat offers him a chance to escape from his own servitude. But now that the griffins find themselves in a position of strength, they are not inclined to forgive, and the entire kingdom finds itself in deadly peril. Willing or not, Gereint will find himself caught up in a desperate struggle between the griffins and the last remaining Casmantian mage. And even the strongest gifts of magecraft may not suffice when the fiery wind of the griffins begins to bury Casmantium beneath the burning sands . . .