Note: According to the author's introduction to the 2017 edition, the book was "rewritten to reflect changes in his life that emerge as he rises from the beginning. It removes a lot of the incongruities I discovered on rereading it".

Synopsis: From the front flap of the Doubleday first edition: "In the fourth saga of Dirshan the God-Killer, the mighty warrior is called to do battle with a demonic bear, an evil bandit, and the terrifying eaters-of-the-dead. Dirshan's mountain clan is suffering the ravages of the rebel, Aliffa, who power lay in the existence of a great highland bear. To rescue his people, Dirshan must destroy the bear before defeating the bandit and his man-eating allies. Dirhan's expedition is interrupted by the discovery of an ancient burial ground under the guard of a mysterious sorceress. Now the warrior and the magician join forces against the adversary, Aliffa. But can man and magic become loyal partners? Can Dirshan trust the dark powers of an unseen world that now support his sword?"