Book IV of The Heritage of Shannara. The descendants of the Elven house of Shannara had all completed their quests, but their work was not yet done. The Shadowen still swarmed over the Four Lands, poisoning all with their dark magic. The leader Rimmer Dall, was determined that the scions of Shannara would not share with each other the knowledge that would end the sickness and devised traps for each of them. The Shannara children will be doomed to failure unless a way can be found to use the Sword of Shannara. Cover art by Keith Parkinson.