The race is on for the galactic throne. "Chosen One " the newser pursuing Mana shouts. "The galaxy is waiting for your words " Rocked by a succession of crises, the empire has returned to its ancient tradition of Challenge on Horseback to determine the next emperor or empress. Riding Torsa horses adapted to deeper levels of reality where multiple universes intersect, contenders for the throne must race through deadly deep-level obstacles. Mana is not a serious contender. She is far less talented than the mindseas-those who can manipulate spacetime and probability with their minds. Unwanted by her family, passed over by the men she finds attractive, Mana is loved by no one except her horse. The only reason she is taking part in the Challenge is to escape the trouble that awaits her should she leave the heavily-guarded environs of the racetrack. So why have the media fixed on her as their "Chosen One"?