Yaki strives to survive in the nightmarish Butcher Camp for assassins, left in the desert by Genji in order to both 'toughen her up' and protect her from the leaders in Kugai who want her dead. Yaki is the daughter of Kugai's former military commander, Yarong, the powerful Shaman Warrior who was betrayed by his own general and king. With Yaki somewhat safe, Batu searches for Yarong's killer, the heartless Death Lord Yuda, and plots to bring the rulers of Kugai to their knees. Batu and the young Shaman Warrior Horakaan seek counsel with the desert renegade Aragorn, who may be building an army against Batu's former homeland. Back in the brutal Butcher Camp stronghold, Yaki considers a daring escape when she gains a few allies of her own.
