Erminie, a leronis with psi powers in the tradition of Bradley's wise women, is a traditional mother figure solicitous of her children. She is blind, however, to the spoiled nature of her son Alistair. As the plot develops, Alistair encounters his own heritage in the form of his brother Conn. The two brothers are opposites. Alistair is urbane and arrogant, while Conn is steeped in the sturdy and egalitarian traditional culture. Alistair, possessed of all the civilized advantages, is yet denied the special power of laran, which Conn possesses. The patriarchal tradition, however, decrees the firstborn will rule Hammerfell.

The conflict between the brothers is reconciled through romance, as Conn is inescapably drawn to the accomplished Floria, his brother's fiancee, and Alistair, called to join forces with Storn to uphold the oldest tradition of fire fighting, falls victim to the charms of Storn's grandniece Lenisa. The two women...