Veii hangs in the sky like a rosy pearl, but it is indeed a poor, dry planet, where people starve and armies devastate whole continents, where superstition thrives and half the year is spent in darkness.
To Veii comes Seren of Khryasha, warrior and warlord, running from the death of his bitterest rival, Rhamant, the leading warrior, the Spear of Gheo. For all know of their rivalry, and all think Seren murdered the Spear.
Following Seren, dreaming of lust and vengeance, is Risha Skhorb, court lady of Gheo, caught up in an interplanetary web of political intrigue.
Risha must wear the luruka scars, carved deep into her flesh, and she must accept the mantle of the goddess ljeji, dancing dreams and bringing visions, if she is to track down the man she loathes - and loves.
She must bring him to justice... or perish in the attempt.