The adventure continues After a mysterious ritual fusing Bran's soul with that of an ancient warrior, he, the wizardess Sato and the shrine apprentice Nagomi flee Kiyo, pursued by the Yamato authorities - and by the associates of a shadowy figure in Crimson Robe. Their quest - to find Bran's captured dragon and discover the whereabouts of Sato's abducted father. Meanwhile in Qin, the Rebellion spreads dangerously close to the old capital and only Dylan and his Second Regiment of Royal Marines stand between the rebel army and the vital trade port of Huating.