A century after Subasson's master and God, Jaalis was captured, Subasson has sunk into despair and anger. A visit from the Most High God tells him momentous things are about to happen, but it is only the arrival of an assassin that rouses him to action. Which of his former brothers and disciples sent him? And what must he have to do to avoid becoming a target? With the help of a young Razite warrior, Raketa and The Hated Man, Bardkel, he sets out to discover the trail and the plot behind it.