What's a wizard to do when the world has fallen apart around him? Michael Hart has discovered that the answer is 'everything he can'.
His old friend Rynn brought several student wizards to his place as things were falling apart. So his first job is to provide for himself and them. But the local town needs help also, and he's never been one to turn away when someone needs assistance.
The Council of Wizards has always disliked him since he was too vocal with his opinions, which happened to oppose theirs. But now they want him out, permanently, so they can take over the crystal mine he's been managing.
With raiders threatening the town, the Council after his head, and people to feed, Michael and Rynn need to find the cache that she knows is in the mine. Its contents may be the difference between life and death.