The Anvil of the World is the tale of Smith, of the large extended family of Smiths, of the Children of the Sun. They are a race given to blood feuds, and Smith was formerly an extremely successful assassin. Now he is trying to retire to another country, to live in obscurity in spite of all those who have sworn to kill him.
He is now the master of a caravan from the inland city of Troon to the seaside city of Salesh. But the journey is dogged with murder, magic, and the brooding image of the Master of the Mountain, a powerful demon, looking down from his mountain kingdom. In Salesh, Smith becomes an innkeeper, but on the way he befriended the young Lord Ermenwyr, a decadent demonic half-breed. Each time Ermenwyr turns up, he brings new trouble with him.
Smith's story is filled with intrigue, romance, sudden violence, moments of emotional impact, charming characters, and occasional riotous humour.