Jarl Hawkins is an ex-geographer from the planet Earth, ex-partisan from the planet Jubal, and is now marooned on the planet Vanir-a backward world with sorcerers, black-powder weapons, nomad raiders, and a church seeking to become all powerful. He has lost track of his friend, the great wizard Kvasir Haroldson. Jarl is desperate to find another wizard who can help him get off Vanir and back to his home world.

Instead, he discovers a witch who is one of the feared nomads. Kiska Ericson is a Sulfur Hills People and has been banished to the mountains for practicing her craft. Jarl befriends...