AYUTTHAYA, SIAM, 1736: Without the knowledge of his English mother, the Siamese household women perform a secret ritual for her newborn son to appease a spirit of infant mortality called the Purchasing Mother. Though the rite seems to succeed, when the boy grows to manhood the spirit returns to claim him, and drives him in desperation to seek Magickal protection against her attacks. In a grueling ordeal, his entire body is covered with tattoos. This process transforms John Perch into a being no longer quite human, virtually immortal, and it renders the Spirit World visible to him... This fantastical tale takes place amid the dramatic and little-known history of the ancient Siamese capital city, Ayutthaya. A place of incredible wealth, beauty, and mystery, the city always attracted the envy of Burmese kings, who repeatedly sought to conquer it. While John struggles with his personal demons, the Burmese armies surround and besiege Ayutthaya one last time, intent upon capture of the White Elephant belonging to the King of Siam. Though it may not be possible to save Ayutthaya, John is forced to draw upon the dark side of his own powers in order to save the people he loves...