After fifteen years, King Darion refuses to give up hope of finding his missing son, even though the Order has long-since reduced its efforts.

Meanwhile, on a south sea island, a young man of unusual powers and talents grows up as the adopted son of the king. They call him a 'spirit talker.' His people terrorized by pirates, he leads a revolt against their oppressors, only to have it smashed down by superior force. The king's daughter is kidnapped by the pirates as punishment.

Kadua-ka sets out to steal a ship from the pirates and find the stolen princess. Now the pirates face a terrible enemy, for Kadua-ka is really Prince Landorlas, son of King Darion, and every bit the warrior, wizard and sorcerer his father and grandfather were.