Malachy relies on his talents as a thief to survive the mean streets of Klathport, former capital of the once-great kingdom of Ithian. Cerys seeks a stolen scroll on which history can be rewritten, wiping out countries and releasing dark powers. They are pursued through city and desert by the fearsome Dune Witch. Romance, tragedy, and adventure blend in a tale of a magical land on the brink of war, and a group of people who, by putting their lives, and their hearts, on the line, have the opportunity to finally set things right. But at a terrible cost.