When Erak, the Skandian Oberjarl, is taken hostage during a raid on the desert lands to the south of the Constant Sea, only a few of his men escape, including Erak's second-in-command, Svengal. The timing couldn't be worse. Svengal arrives to tell King Duncan in the middle of ... Halt's wedding! The festivities will have to continue without the groom, his best man and the king as they try to work out a plan to pay for Erak's release. Halt and Will must go on the mission, but a royal presence is needed too. The Princess Cassandra - or Evanlyn, as the boys know her - persuades her father to let her go with them. Horace will provide the muscle power, and the Ranger Gilan rounds out the group to make sure that Evanlyn is well protected. In the treacherous desert lands, will violent sandstorms, warring tribes and danger at every turn keep them from reaching Erak in time?