Book excerpt: This collection brings together the two-part short story which originally appeared in Heat #1 and Heat #2 -- "The Prisoner's Release" -- with three entirely new tales set in the world of Argaea.* "Inside the Cage" takes place at the Jackal's Staff where a young cougar seeks to escape his life of prostitution.* "The Prisoner's Release" previously appeared in Heat #1 and Heat #2 and tells the story of how Volle met Streak.* "Home Again" picks up just after "The Prisoner's Release" when Volle and Streak have returned Ferrenis and fills in some details leading up to their ill-fated return to Tephos in "Pendant of Fortune." * Finally we return to the Jackal's Staff in "For Love or Family", this time through the eyes of a patron trying to balance the way he feels against the duties of his station.