A manuscript is stolen from a library & from a young man's obstinate questions emerges an answer of stupendous import as the quest for an elder civilization becomes a terrifying ordeal.The Wastelands were a realm of magic where no one ventured. Along the borders, the Little People pursued their ancient ways. But the interior was populated by all the dread creatures of darkest legends. There the Hellhounds took their awful vengeance on any who dared violate their territory. There the Chaos Beast was dead but struggled still to give birth to something even more strange & incomprehensible. Mark Cornwall was forced to flee into the Wastelands to escape from Beckett, evil agent of the inquisition. There he was joined by Oliver the rafter goblin, Gil of the marshes, Hal & Coon of the Hollow Tree, Snively the gnome--& Mary, who could free the horn of a unicorn & said she was born in the Wastelands. Ahead lay unknown terror & perilous adventure. If they survived, there was the alien Caretaker with a message of Destiny.