The City of Qushmarrah is uneasy under the rule of the Herodians. They are short, balding men whose armies would never have conquered the city had not the great and evil wizard Narkar been killed and sealed in his citadel; had not the savage nomad Datars turned coat and sided with the invaders; had not some traitor opened the fortress to them. Not many would welcome the return of the old religion, the bloody return of wizardry…but there are some patriots who would accept the return of the devil they know, if it meant the return of independence. Aaron is a carpenter who fought loyally in the war, but who now lives decently under the invaders. His wife and small son mean everything to him. He takes no part in the intrigues of the underground, for he remembers all too clearly the horrors of the wizard Nakar. But there are children being kidnapped all over the city—little Zouki, his neighbor’s son, is taken. Aaron begins to live in fear. To whom can he turn for help, for safety? And why are the children being taken? For what terrible purpose, what fate?