A race of tiny magical beings lives on Earth today.

They are kirins.

Due to ancient frictions, kirins have concealed themselves from humans for millennia. When a disgruntled kirin high magician interrupts the global invisibility spell, however, kirins everywhere are momentarily visible to humans. Taking advantage of this breach, a vicious Alaskan fishing boat captain, Jeremy Bailey, captures a kirin named Till and, under threat of torture, exploits Till's magical abilities for Bailey's benefit.

A kirin party fights back to deliver Bailey to The Seer of Serone, an esteemed kirin wizard who brings the infamous human to trial. Peering into Bailey's mind, The Seer will show mercy only if Bailey is a truly changed man.

This lovingly crafted story in the classic fantasy tradition explores the power of empathy, friendship, and forgiveness to heal the rifts that divide.

James Priest was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He majored in English in college, and received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota. He spent three years in Japan, caring for casualties from Vietnam, and practiced medicine in Minneapolis for twenty-one years. He now lives with his wife, Ilka, and their dog, Taiho, in the Hawaiian Islands on the isle of Kauai.

Always a fan of miniature things, Priest found it easy to create the race of small magical beings at the heart of his novel. He feels fortunate to have found a second career in writing.