Set a generation or so before Hawkmistress, The Fall of Neskaya tells a story of a laran not familiar to regular readers of the Darkover series. This laran allows men to lie under truthspell, a talent which presents grave danger to Darkovan society.

This talent is possessed only by the members of the Deslucido family. Damian Deslucido is determined to rule all Darkover, and will stop at nothing to get it. He is willing to use laran weapons such as bonewater dust to win battles. 

In this, he is supported by his son Belisar and his brother Rumail, a powerful laranzu who was dismissed from the Towers for abusing his abilities. Rumail is sent to the home of Coryn Leynier, originally to determine which of Coryn's sisters would be most suitable as a bride to Belisar, but he discovers Coryn has powerful laran and implants a command so that someday Coryn will be forced to do his bidding.

Coryn indeed becomes a powerful laranzu and is selected to train as Keeper. But his happiness at being trained is haunted by the deaths of his father and youngest sister, the one who was promised to Belisar. Deslucido promptly conquers Coryn's home.

Shortly thereafter, Coryn is transferred to Neskaya to continue his training. On his way, he meets Taniquel, queen of Acosta, which has just fallen to Deslucido. Damian had thought to forcefully marry her to his son Belisar, but she escapes, fleeing to her Hastur relatives. Coryn saves her life, but they expect never to see each other again.

Deslucido continues trying to conquer other lands, and when he realizes where Queen Taniquel has fled, tries to use her as a pawn by claiming she had been willing to marry his son. This starts the Hastur Rebellion, as Taniquel proves to her uncle that Deslucido lied under truthspell, and Hastur forces march to free Acosta.

Taniquel soon becomes legend, as she insists on marching with the army in support of her cause. Her love for Coryn allows her to call on him for help.

This story was written by Deborah Ross based on discussions and notes from Marion Zimmer Bradley. Ross does a fair job of being consistent with other Darkover stories. It's very interesting to read more of the Hundred Kingdom era, when laran weapons were rather freely used and abused.