Princess Irene lives in a castle in a lonely mountainous region. One day she discovers a steep and winding stairway leading to a bewildering labyrinth of unused passages with closed doors - and a further stairway. What lies at the top? Can the ring the princess is given protect her against the lurking menace of the boglins from under the mountain?
Multiple Nebula and Hugo award-winner Le Guin contributes a new Introduction to this edition of McDonald's tale of a princess whose discovery of a secret stair at the top turret of a castle leads to a wonderful revelation.