usual in the Neveryon series, AsGorgik the Liberator engages most of the reader's interest. He, like other legendary figures in Neveryon, is surrounded by layers of conflicting stories about his deeds and his motivations. The first of the three stories in the volume, "The Game of Time and Pain," comes last chronologically of all the Neveryon stories. In this virtually actionless story, Gorgik is on his way to join Lord Krodar's funeral cortege.

Spending the night in an almost deserted castle with a young barbarian, Udrog, Gorgik looks back over his youth and relates a sadistic incident that he witnessed during his days as a mine slave. Later, he tells Udrog of several key events in his campaign to free the slaves. In the final third of the story, he meets the Vizerine Myrgot, his first important protector, and reminisces with her. Thus, throughout "The Game of Time...