Catthaw is here; the war is a reality. The friends are together again, but even if they can figure out the source and nature of the prince's unclean powers, they have to get to him. That's going to be tricky since he has an army of sentient buffalos convinced that he's their prophet.
In the capital, Maru's other siblings scheme to take the throne. Ajathame will take her place among them, but whether they pull off their coup depends on Naproides. On how far he'll go in support of a cause not his own.
Old secrets come to light as Maru finally finds his way through the last of Jaalen's lies. Any chance of victory lies in the shadow of the Serpent Queen.