The Holy Land, 1260.

Josseran Sarrazini is chosen to escort the Pope's emissary on an embassy to the all-conquering Mongol horde in an effort to save all Christendom from destruction. But although he serves as a Templar warrior, Josseran is not all that he appears to be - and he despises the Pope's man on sight.

Now they have to spend nine months in each other's company on the most dangerous and most inhospitable journey on the earth - across the legendary deserts of Persia, through the horrific black hurricanes of the Taklimakan, along the entire spider's web of the Silk Road to Khubilai Khan's legendary capital at Xanadu. When he sets out, Josseran cannot know then that he will never see Christendom again.

Meanwhile, somewhere near the Roof of the World, a Tatar princess possessing a gift for prophecy, defies her father's attempts to marry her off to the sons of other tribal chiefs. She does not belong in her world any more than Josseran belongs in his.

Now fate will bring their paths on a collision course somewhere on the Silk Road and change the course of her life, and Josseran's, forever.

From the Storehouse of Winds to the Palace of Myriad Tranquillities, from the Pamirs and Hindu Kush to the legendary Xanadu and the dazzling court of Khubilai Khan, this is romance and adventure on a breathtaking scale.

Contains mature themes.