"The breath of the Lord," says Obst, "is the wind from Heaven, sowing the seeds of His word throughout the earth." Soon all Obann will know the truth of his saying.

There are barbarians at the gates of Obann City, starving in a strange land which they fear is another world, and strange ships off the coast of Durmurot. What could be their mission? Where might they have come from? The dangerous task of finding out can only be given to a boy: there is no one else to do it.

Out of the tumult, the least likely persons in Obann City find themselves called upon to form a government and restore peace and justice. Can it survive? And Jack has had visions, but no one can interpret them.

In an unexplored region of Lintum Forest, Ysbott the Snake seeks a country inhabited by gnomes and giants...