Our heroes have arrived at the desert city of Rhabat, where they will be guests of the Sharai leader, Hasan. Whether they will be safe there is another matter. Morakh, the leader of the Sand Dancers, is still on the lose. And then there is the matter of what the 'Ifrit are up to in the Dead Waters. Marron may be coming to terms with becoming the legendary Ghost Walker, but many Sharai are still resentful of a Patric having that honour. Meanwhile Marron still has his relationship with Jemel to sort out. As for Julianne, she has to decide what to do about Hasan's offer of marriage, given that in theory she is married already.