From the back cover:

For these hundred centuries, women of wisdom and strength have mastered the sunstones to bring warmth and wealth to their people.

But while the Brakrathi tended their stonehalls and valleys, others have traversed the spaces between the stars with less gentle motives. Like the arrogant Arnimi, who study and measure everything but understand nothing of the human soul. Or the Benderzic, who ruthlessly harvest information from their army of child informants and auction to the highest bidder.

Until the coming of Darkchild. Until the end of the beginning of things.