The Malazan occupiers have been almost completely driven out of the Empire of the Seven Cities. Only the fortress of Aren is still held by them. In response, the Empress sends her confidante Tavore and entrusts her with command of the hopelessly outmatched Malazan army. For Tavore knows her opponent - the holy seeress Sha'ik, who commands the rebellious hordes - better than anyone else. Today, Sha'ik may be the instrument of the holy desert. But once, she was Tavore's sister Felisin.