Without a Sultan, corrupt Fire Dancers and their pompous Caliphs abuse power and wage fruitless wars across the parched sands of Serescine. Fakhira wishes her family could afford to solve their problems with magic. Sometimes, wishes come true. In the worst possible way. A simple peasant, she'll have to find the strength to survive and shoulder her fate before the desert is bathed in the blood of innocents. The Fires blaze in dozens of wild, capricious Dancers. The Waters anoint only one champion, one Al-Kabar to serve—and save—the people of the desert.