Prince Migo Rikaydian's cowardice has lost him his mother's favor. He learns of a plan to have him assassinated before he turns 18 so his mother can retain the throne. He seeks to regain her favor by hunting down a shaman assassin and eliminating any other shaman he can find.  Katsi Danan, the shaman girl he's after, is no killer. She's an outcast seeking to end the 400 year conflict between her tribe and city-state ruled by Migo's mother. She uncovers a plot by the tribe to revive ancient, terrible magic that would allow them to ravage the city, but thousands would die on both sides. Her power alone might not be enough to stop it.  Migo sees that there's more than his own life at stake and must decide how deep his loyalties lie.