The year is 2003 and the place is Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. forces have invaded and looting has rampaged across the city. Into this chaos arrives a mysterious figure dressed in gray and his companion, a history professor. The two venture into the depths of the National Museum in search of an ancient relic, a sword with a past older than that of even Judaism. What is found is betrayal of the worst sort, and a challenge against God himself.

"Beneath a Persian Sun" is a short story of dark historical and religious fantasy, and horror. This and 15 other dark fantasy and horror tales involving the John Dee character are available in the collection, Sands of Time.