The barbarian horde has breached the ancient Dragonwall and now threatens the oriental land of Shou Lung. Powerful as they are, the Shou Lung army's only hope lies with Batu Min Ho, a young general who is himself a third-generation descendant of Tuigan barbarians. But Batu's wife must fight her own battle in the treacherous political terrain of the imperial court, as a spy attempts to undermine the emperor's confidence in her husband. And if Batu is to retain his command and save Shou Lung, it is a battle she must not lose.