Arak, Valda and Satyricus have been taken prisoner pending a public execution in White Cathay - but with the help of Brunello, Master Thief of Africa, the trio are soon free to once again attempt to rescue Malagigi from the clutches of Angelica... but that's not going to be easy when outside the city is being besieged by Tartars, and inside the city is in open revolt... and if that weren't enough, Haakan of Ultima Thule finally arrives on the scene!