The natives of Darkover were human but hostile to the Earth colonists who had come to their planet. Larry Montray, however, was able to become friendly with the Altons, an important clan, and was one of the few Terrans ever to observe Darkovan life and customs at first hand. But Larry would get much more than he bargained for - he found himself in the middle of a feud older than memory; a feud fought by unknown beings, deadly beasts and alien intelligences - and his actions would determine the fate of every Terran on the planet of the blood-red sun. Cover art by Michael Whelan.