The Breaking of Northwall — Paul O. Williams

THE IDEAL EXILE

To the Pelbar, the sentence seemed a living death--exile to distant Northwall for a year, isolated from the security and order of Pelbarigan society, facing the barbarian tribes of the Shumai and Sentani.

But the rebellious Jestak embraced his punishment--for only with the lore of Northwall and the battle-craft and bravery of the wild tribes could he accomplish what he sought. The woman he loved was a captive in Emerta, fabled city of the slaveholding Emeri. Jestak meant to free her--and, if he had to, destroy utterly the power of the Emeri.

This sweeping tale of the far future is a rich depiction of a colorful world--and an engrossing account of one man's role in changing the destiny of that world.