In this historical fantasy set in late 12th century Mongolia, an old woman has grown fearful of the magical powers she has misused in the past, and sworn never to use them again. But now she must help a young shaman still learning his craft to save their Mongol chief and his people from their enemies. Several characters in this story, including the boy Temujin (the young Genghis Khan), also appear in Sargent's historical novel Ruler of the Sky.