In this, the last published work to which famous "Star Trek" writer the late D.C. Fontana contributes, we are in a far-future Britain which the long-ago firefloods of war have rendered a semi-wasteland. Deep in a hidden cave, long-dormant activating mechanisms begin to work on a high tech sarcophagus awakening a strong male body, scarred by battle.
In this dark future, the denizens of outposts along primitive trading routes struggle to survive and grow under medieval conditions and the harsh rule of the Techno-wizards. The Grand Wizard Karayahn's mutant Garrum guards keep the people in line but her electronic devices and weaponry are beginning to fail. She covets the vast source of power lying inside The Enchantment, a hidden land whose invisible portals are difficult to find and breach. She has imprisoned the last member of a ruling family with psychokinetic abilities hoping to force her to open a portal.
One popular young songsayer, Aliena, is encouraged to lead a band of misfits against the oppressors but she feels far from qualified. She needs a strong battle leader and the man awakened in the cave is destined to be that person for he is Arthur, the once and future king. As legend has it, he, along with his faithful knights who rest beside him, will come forth to save his kingdom in its hour of greatest need. Unfortunately, the only one of his beloved knights to survive the long sleep is….the traitorous Modred.