Two hundred years before The Magic of Recluce, in a perfect entry-point for new readers of the series, the deadly White Wizards of Fairhaven, wielding the forces of chaos, threaten the ancient matriarchy of Sarronnyn, the last bastion of order in Candar. Their ruler appeals to the Black Wizards of Recluce, masters of order, for help. Despite their success in destroying more than half the White armies, Sarronnyn falls. Justen, a young Black Engineer, must escape the city and fight the highest powers of order and master forbidden technology to harness chaos itself in his efforts to halt the conquest of the White Wizards.