In the third part of Seven Citadels', Prince Kerish, his half-brother Forollkin, his cousin Gwerath and the enigmatic Gidjabolgo, have escaped from the nomads and reached the corrupt Queendom of Seld. After battling the terrible creatures which guard the fourth citadel, worse dangers await Kerish in the ghostly kingdom of the tormented fifth sorcerer. In the brothers' homeland, Galkis, traitors are plotting to seize the throne and the barbarians...