"On one world faeries suffer in a devastating war against hordes of centaurs and satyrs. On another world tiny goblins scrabble about the ruins of strange, giant machines left by a race of vanished Titans." "And on the third world humans and dwarves are ruled by five immortal dragons. Reigning over theocracies of magic, these dragonkings use monks and priestesses to keep the peace by removing the insane - the troubled, violent "Elect" - from society." "Galen Arvad, a young blacksmith, hides a terrible secret from his bride and his dwarven friend, Cephas. By night he is plagued by dreams of a winged woman, a goblin, and a mysterious stranger. During the day he is tortured by common objects - statues, swords, doorknobs - that talk to him. Unable to shield his eccentricities from the monks' magic staffs, Galen is taken prisoner, dragged away from his beloved, and forced into exile." "Now among madmen, Galen Arvad plunges into a deep chasm of intrigue and adventure. The Grand Inquisitor of the monks appears trapped in Galen's visions. Lunatics of the Elect proclaim Galen their leader. The winged woman in his dreams influences events in the waking world. And Galen realizes that his madness is a sign of magic... a revelation that enrages the dragonkings." For Galen's sorcery could bridge realms and strike down living gods. But can Galen learn to use his power before he's destroyed by the monsters that rule his world?