Ruh is set to be sacrificed in a grisly ritual meant to earn the favor of Balcifer. Dar, Tao and Dartanus must rescue him. Soothsayer Callista, King Zad's plotting, seductive and manipulative sister, seduces Zad's most loyal man.
Dar sneaks into Xinca to rescue a very special horse, despite a fortune-teller's warning that this will lead to Dar's death at the point of his own sword.
Dar meets lord Galen, who claims to be the son of his father's closest ally. Galen shows Dar an old agreement between their fathers that states that Dar and Galen's feisty sister are to marry and ally their houses against Balcifer.