The City of Qushmarrah is uneasy under the rule of the Herodians. Their armies would never have conquered the city at all if not the great and evil wizard Nakar been killed and sealed in his citadel; had not the 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 bad old religion, but there are some patriots who would welcome the devil himself if it meant the return of independence from the hated Herodians. Aaron is a carpenter who fought loyally through the war but who now lives lawfully under the new regime. His wife and small son mean everything to him. He takes no part in the intrigues of the resistance movement, for he remembers all too well the horrors of Nakar's regime. But this time he will not be allowed to stand aside. Cover art by Stephen Bradbury.