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Reith, by virtue of quick thinking, manages to arrive in the depths as a fugitive, rather than a prisoner. And so begins a series of adventures and travels more extensive than any that have happened so far. He kidnaps a young Pnumekin woman - to be named ZAP 210 and convinces her to lead him to freedom. No small task in a world full of secrets. But with the aid of a stolen map, they are on their way. Gradually, ZAP 210 finds Reith's 'boisterous' behavior less and less repellent. Achingly slowly, their relationship matures and becomes the second story of the series.
Vance gives us a whirlwind tour of yet another facet of life on Tschai, making us privy to the society of the Pnume and their servants. Quiet and subdued, their entire focus is the keeping of 'Foreverness,' their great museum. And on the surface, we discover such thinks as crooked ell racing. Vance again proves his ability to paint his story in vivid colors and deftly go beyond the constraints of simple action fiction.
This ends a series that I will always consider one of Vance's best efforts. He will go on to write countless new tales, and with each one, I always wonder, "Will this be just as good as..." Almost without fail, it is. But only rarely is it better.
