Book excerpt: Krus'Ka'Kam: a world of technological peace and magical prosperity share by a myriad of sentient beings. Until now. The dragon Ry'Ugure, a priest of the highest order, has begun a struggle to defy the very god he has vowed to worship, and to bring about a change to Krus'Ka'Kam which could destroy it. Following him is a massive, secret army of dissidents known as the Hive. But the god Taykato isn't without his champion. A young woman, Machi Velistar, who's dream is to be one of the heroes in the books she loves, is soon caught up in the struggle to save her friends and her own life from the vehement destruction of the Hive. Helping these two are embittered lovers, the warriors Sophronia and Soper, who began their own crusade two millennia ago, but who will now use Ry'Ugure and Machi against their will to finish it.