As Ethan treks across the Persian Empire in search of his older brother, he crosses path with an injured man who needs help, but his innocent act of kindness leads to his arrest and court in Halicarnassus. The district ruler, Mausolus, sees something useful in Ethan and his life explodes with intrigue and excitement, unimaginable experience and incredible opportunity. But an assassin remains at large and Artemisia, Mausolus' queen, has grand ambitions for her legacy that may threaten the safety of the entire district.