Wizardwood - a sentiet wood. The most precious commodity in the world. Like many other legendary wares it comes onl from the Rain River Wilds. But only a liveship fashioned from wizardwood can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain Wild River, and liveships are difficult to come by. Rare and valuable, successive generations - have died upon their deck. The liveship Vivacia is about to undergo her quickening. As Althea Vestrit's father is caried to her deck in his death-throes Althea waits with mixed feelings for the ship that she loves more than anything in the world to awaken. But Althea's dream of taking her father's place at Vivacia's helm is not to be, for her famil have other plans... -- back cover.