Second book in the new five-book SHANNARA series. The fellowship of elves, dwarves and men led by Walker Boh has reached the mysterious city of Castledown on their search for the ancient magic whose existence Walker has deciphered from the map held in the hand of a dead Elf Prince.

The airship Jerle Shannara carried the company from the Four Lands across islands where magical terrors lay in wait.

Now, they face their greatest challenge. Walker's nemesis, the Ilse Witch, has troubles of her own - she knows that she is a member of the famed Ohmsford family, possessors of the Elfstones and Witchsong, but discovers that her younger brother, Bek, is not dead, as she thought.

Twisted by the wiles and whispered poison of the Morgawr, her tutor, she refuses to believe the truth about Bek or Walker.

Both their lives are in her hands...Within the mechanical mazes of Castledown, Walker discovers great secrets...which may cost him more than his life.