In spite of himself, Gauthier has returned to Hierus Halem, both to accompany his sister Sybil, who is seeking the ugliest man on Earth, but also to continue the fight against the Qa'dj, whose breath is once again plaguing the land. Unfortunately, the man Sybil is after is Guy of Lusignan, a brutal, fanatical lord whose actions are rekindling the conflict between Christians and Muslims. Caught once again in a world of violence, Gauthier will owe his survival to an old friend ...