When the young Jeddara of Yorn is marked for assassination, Dejah and Kantos are sent to bring her back to Helium for her own protection. Their task becomes a little more taxing when they find Tash Lia to be a bratty child of privilege. On the flight back to Helium, their ship is brought down by the legendary assassin Boll-Rem. They are forced to flee into the desert and take refuge in an ancient city where they are immediately attacked by ferocious rat creatures.