Second in the 'Beyond' trilogy of Sacred Band of Stepsons novels. Can be read as a stand-alone novel. Tempus and his Stepsons, far from Thieves' World and Sanctuary, continue their fight for the independence of Nisibis against the expanding Mygdonian empire. Nisibis and Mygdonia are actual ancient places, and this book has the feel of ancient mythology. Sorceresses and gods take a hand in the battle. Ancient cavalry warfare and the exploits of Tempus's Sacred Band of lovers and friends make this book compelling and much more real than most fantasy. The same-sex lovers of the Sacred Band, an elite war-band modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes, risk everything for honor in this sophisticated tale of men at war, gods and sorcery as Tempus's partner, Niko, is stalked by the Nisibisi with, Roxane.