In every quadrant in time telepathic and mysterious beings are manipulating the very fabric of the universe, seeking ultimate control. On one world, the wise leader of the Republic valiantly tries to contain the atrocities of marauding, savage hordes. On another, people are bought and sold as chattel in the dreaded Goblin Market. And everywhere, the insidious influence of the Riders is felt, as they steal and enslave human minds. But in the void of the Time Lanes, a boy with telepathic powers he has yet to discover has entered the portal where all world are joined. Young and untried, a loner with much to learn, he must now become the legendary Warchild, if the universe is ever to survive...

Garvin leads a rebellion against his father to end the exploitation of fellow telepaths and end the Goblins' rule over the outer worlds of the Time Lanes