Dorin, a young scion of Order magicians, is interested in forbidden knowledge - the working of machines

But his insights violate the rules of the Order magic of Recluce, and in order to pursue his invention he must go into exile - in the lands of Chaos.

Tortured by the knowledge that to preserve Order he must create new devices for war, Dorin stands between Recluce and the forces of the Chaos that seek to destroy it.