Her first novel. A classic of planetary romance.
After a native, Semley, comes to the League of All Worlds to get the return of a necklace, a family heirloom (and discovered the secrets of time dilation on her return), Rocannon comes to have the planet properly surveyed. Except that enemies blast his ship. And the Clayfolk, resenting that the League no longer gave them as much support as before (Rocannon's fault, though they don't know it), won't let him send a message.
This means the only way to send one was through the enemies' ansible. Fortunately, he has the coordinates. A long trek, involving the windsteeds -- winged great cats -- crossing the sea, an unknown race of mutes who look like angels, surviving a fire, the Fian and their love of words, and more.
