Wounded during the successful rebellion at the Niangara mines, Marcus falls into limbo. When he finally awakens from his poison-induced hallucinations, the legionary discovers much has changed during the two years he was in the Land of the Dead. The expedition was successful: his team of Romans discovered the great hidden city of the land of Niangara. Now the Nubian Lion has an even greater challenge ahead of him: he must undergo a brutal ritual in order to earn his throne and win the heart of his queen.