ISBN 0-7472-4448-0 (UK pbk)

"Derveet knows that her country is too weak to survive outright rebellion against the alien Rulers. She and Atoon, a prince of the old traditional states, place their hopes in a spreading campaign of non-violent resistance. But the absolute and possibly magical despotism of the Dapur matriarchy has left a land divided that may fall into chaos when the Rulers pull out.

"In the strange relationship between two of her followers -- a young woman innocent of Dapur magic, and a youth who has escaped his fate as an unwanted stud -- Derveet sees a way forward that will owe allegiance to neither Rulers nor matriarchs.

"But before she can use this intuition for the good of all, women and men, Flowerdust, the golden dust of dreams, suddenly appears in the city of Ranganar. The drug, a potent consolation or a short cut to nightmare, promises a disruption more deadly than either Rulers or Dapur..." [jacket blurb, UK pbk, 1994]