Surviving the sudden shift to a parallel Earth, Nic finds a refuge in the not-quite-Ancient China she finds herself in, the fortress of Shanmen – and a new identity as the idiot water-carrier Niu. But when Nic defends the fortress against an enemy attack in the night and nearly dies, the general in charge uncovers her disguise.

Will he welcome this uncanny foreign woman, or join the others calling her a demon? And will the forces involved in the river massacre track her down and threaten them all?