Ace, New York, 1978, 4^th pr.  ISBN 0-441-93022-0.  MMPB, 229 pages followed by ads.  Wraps show edge and cover wear, creases and reading creases; binding sound with a slight roll; store stamp on top edge of page block.  Interior clean and unmarked with tanned pages and inner wraps.  Author’s first novel.  ‘On the orders of Argo, the White Goddess, an itinerant poet and his three companions journey to the island of Aptor. Their mission: to seize a jewel from the dark god Hama and bring it back home. With this precious stone Argo may defeat the malign forces gathered against her and the land of Leptor. But, as the group presses deep into the enigmatic heart of Aptor, easy distinctions between good and evil blur, and somehow the task seems less straightforward. For Argo already owns two of the jewels, and possession of the third would give her unqualified power.  And, as the four friends already know, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ (from goodreads)