Mages, and their elflord kin, gather in the Seven Tiered Imperial Capital for the Conclave at the Mage Guild Hall. The Empire is home to elves, dwarves, ogres, and lowly humans. George, an archeologist from Earth's future with only his computer staff to aid him, has learned his only way home is to become Highmage. He is now one of only two candidates for the position. The other is backed by elvin traditionalists and is the unknowing puppet of the Demonlord, whose schemes are about to bring about civil war. Fate hinges on George's unlikely allies: Gallen, the leader of a pack of urchins, who is not what he appears; George's apprentices - the elfblooded lad, Aaprin, who cannot do magic; the mischievous "twin" boys Revit and Terus; his swordswomen bodyguards; his shape-changing foster-daughter, who turns into quite the beast; an ogress who remembers navigating a starship, and, for some reason, his horse, Babylon. George has no wish to be responsible for saving this world where, in the distant past, magic twisted the laws of science, but destiny seems to have other plans. He will do anything for the chance to return through the Highmage's Gateway back to Earth, the question is will he die before ever having the chance. Welcome to the Fourth Book in the Highmage's Plight Series.