After using a key intended for his roommate, John Toffler and his two closest friends—Laurie and Bill—are thrown into the harsh world of Basawar. John and his friends survive the winter wilderness with the aid of a rebellious young priest, Ravishan, and eventually join Basawar society in the city of Amura’taye.

While Laurie and Bill find shelter in the household of the exiled Lady Bousim, John ascends the Thousand Steps to the monastery of Rathal’pesha where he reunites with Ravishan. He hopes that among the mysterious teachings of the Pashmura priesthood he can find a way to return home. After a year of service in the monastery, he has made many discoveries and a few friends, chief among them the aged priest, Samsango, and the healer, Hann’yu. But the way home still eludes John.

Soon John begins to fear that Laurie’s newly developed powers could be those of the destroyer god, the Rifter. If she were to be discovered, it would mean the end for all of them. Complicating matters further is the fact that Laurie continues to practice the forbidden arts of witchcraft under the tutelage of Lady Bousim. In the midst of John’s turmoil, Ravishan confesses his attraction to John. But Basawar is a world where such desire is punished with death. And after a frustratingly brief kiss in Candle Alley, John orders Ravishan away from him—for both their sakes.