The Marynov brothers have to learn how to get along when their mother is abducted by an unknown enemy of the family. In exchange for her safety, they are tasked with hunting down an ancient Septonian scepter with its own tale of intrigue. Due to the familys distrust of all outsiders, Malachi is forbidden from asking his friends for help. But it turns out his friends are already in Septon on the tail of Herder Shoufille who coincidentally disappeared on the eve the scepter was stolen. In their quest through the hot, Septonian desert they encounter dangerous mining crime lords in a bid to rescue Malachis mother, track down Herder Shoufille, and recover the scepter.
