"Alanna journeys to the vast desert at the edge of Tortall. When the Bazhir people who live there find her, they tell her that her sentence for trespassing is to fight in a duel to the death; if she wins, she will be inducted into the tribe. Although she triumphs, and soon after becomes the tribe's first female shaman, dire challenges lie ahead. Alanna must convince the Bazhir to change their ancient customs for their sake and for the sake of all of Tortall."--
