After Sidra, the only surviving Nubian general, returns from a lost battle, he and the Queen's advisor, Khama, start their plan to kill the queen and take over the country before the Egyptians retaliate. They realize that since everyone in the land, including Queen Azmera, loves a talented young soldier named Tizzra, his involvement would be necessary to pull off their coup.

Imprisonment. Starvation. Murder. These are just a few of the tactics that the advisor and general use in their dealings with Tizzra, all while making him believe that the Queen is the one who is behind it. Sidra also tempts Tizzra with talk of giving him prominence in the land when the Queen is gone. Torn between his admiration for his general and his fading loyalty for the queen, Tizzra realizes that he must make his decision soon.