Chronological Book X of Shannara. Long ago, the wars of ancient Evil had wrecked the world and forced mankind to compete with many other races: gnomes, trolls, dwarfs and elves. But in peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knew little of such troubles. Then came the forbidding giant Allanon, possessed of strange Druidic powers, to reveal that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destroy the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara - which could only be used by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, the last of the blood line, rested the hope of all races. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flew into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save the Vale, Shea flees, drawing the Skull Bearer after him. Cover art by Steve Stone.