Derai: E.C. Tubb

Book II of Dumarest. Still driven by his search to find Man's fabled birthplace, Dumarest accepts a commission to guard the Lady Derai, heiress to the House of Caldor on the feudal world of Hive. Dumarest hoped to meet a living witness of Earth there. But instead, he's on the lists of the deadly Contest on Folgone - with the Lady of Caldor as prize. On Folgone, Dumarest confronts the Cybers, ruthless emotionless tools of a great Gestalt which holds the might of the Universe within its grip - a power which may provide him with the key to his quest for Earth. Cover art credited to Chris Achilleos.