Corum Jhaelen Irsei, el Príncipe de la Mano de Plata, también conocido como el Príncipe de la Túnica Escarlata, ha sido trasladado en el tiempo para acudir, como encarnación del Campeón Eterno, en ayuda del pueblo de los mabden.
La amenaza de los Fhoi Myore se cierne de nuevo sobre el pueblo mabden, y sus huestes avanzan sobre los escasos territorios que todavía controlan. Amergin, la única persona que podría lograr la unión de todas las tribus, se encuentra prisionero y sometido a la ilusión mágica que le hace creerse una oveja. De modo que Corum se interna en territorio de los Fhoi Myore con la esperanza de poder rescatar a Amergin y devolverle la cordura.
Autor de una vastísima producción literaria que le ha consagrado entre los autores más importantes de la historia de las letras inglesas, Michael Moorcock es uno de los principales artífices que han configurado la forma de la fantasía moderna. Su ciclo de novelas dedicadas al Multiverso revolucionó el género y consagró la figura del héroe acosado por la fuerza del destino.

One of the creepiest, saddest and most disturbing books I've read in any genre. Wow! ( )

After finding the spear Bryionak and commanding the Sidhi war bull who decimated the forces of the Fhoi Myore, Corum and the Mabden get a breather. For all of about 30 days. Then the king of another Mabden kingdom comes a calling, and we learn that although all the Mabden fear the Fhoi Myore, none of the kings of the Mabden are willing to form an alliance and attack the remaining six Fhoi Myore. Each kingdom hopes that if they just keep their heads down, the Fhoi Myore will leave them alone. Only the High Druid of the Mabden, Amergin, could convince all the Mabden Kings to come together and take the battle to the Fhoi Myore. Unfortunately, Amergin is under a glamour, thinking himself a sheep, and he lives in the tender loving care of the Fhoi Myore in their stronghold.

Corum recieves an invisibility cloak, and he and Jhary set off to rescue Amergin from the Fhoi Myore. Along the way, they run into Gaynor, whom Corum defeated in the previous trilogy. He is apparently the right hand man to the Fhoi Myore, taking charge of their ground forces.

Corum and Jhary recues Amergin and learn that the only thing that will break the glamour is the magic contained in the Oak and the Ram. Both items are small statues created by the Sidhi and given to the Mabden thousands of years ago - and subsequently lost. They also rescue Goffanon who was put under an enchantment by Calatin, thanks to the spit of Goffanon's that Corum gave to Calatin in exchange for use of a Sidhi horn. (Long story, suffice it to say that it was done unwittingly by both Goffanon and Corum).

Goffanon and Corum head off to find the Oak and Ram while Jhary takes Amergin back to Corum's Mabden home. Along the way, they run into another Sidhi, Ilbrec - and he's normal Sidhi size - 16 feet tall - as opposed to the dwarf Goffanon who weighs in at 8 feet tall. They find the Fhoi Myore forces on the march and get to King Daffyn hours ahead of the horde. Corum and Goffanon organize the defense of the city and as thanks, they are given the Oak and Ram.

Racing back to Amergin, they use the gifts and return Amergin to his senses - and so the Mabden will come together and fight the Fhoi Myore. ( )