Batho Shenzi is selected to be this summer's archaeological assistant for the mysterious Tanda Vas at the ruins of Hol Kandar, the old stone city. Accompanied by his best friend Barjen. he sets out on what he believes will be a pleasant, even exciting break from their everyday life in the quiet town of Sansa Lae. Very soon, though, he finds that they've ridden headlong into a metaphysical adventure; a quest that leads far beyond this world and into other realms. Barbrians devoted to blood rituals and their dark high priest, male and female warriors of ancient ways of energy the Master of light and sound challenge the two young men's physical and mental strengths and beliefs. At Hol Kandar, they unearth ancient technology and powerful weapons; they endure monumental battles in both the physical and spiritual worlds and discover the hidden potential and power within. And they need this power to be able to face the world-altering history that had been the secret of the old stone city, bizarre phenomena-and their dreams.