Sharakhai, the great city of the desert,
center of commerce and culture, has been ruled from time
immemorial by twelve kings -- cruel, ruthless, powerful, and
immortal. With their army of Silver Spears, their elite
company of Blade Maidens and their holy defenders, the
terrifying asirim, the Kings uphold their positions as
undisputed, invincible lords of the desert. There is no hope
of freedom for any under their rule.
Or so it seems,
until Çeda, a brave young woman from the west end slums,
defies the Kings' laws by going outside on the holy night of
Beht Zha'ir. What she learns that night sets her on a path
that winds through both the terrible truths of the Kings'
mysterious history and the hidden riddles of her own
heritage. Together, these secrets could finally break the
iron grip of the Kings' power...if the nigh-omnipotent Kings
don't find her first.