The plot thickens…

As we begin this second book of the Dark Ages Clan novels, Constantinople burns in the distance and the fleeing Cainites gather near the city of Adrianople. They form an unorganized camp, ready to explode into violence, until Prince Marcus Licinius and the Templar Ventrue, Sir Hugh of Clairvaux, approach them. In the darkness beyond the camp, a trio of Assamites is sent to evaluate the danger the situation poses to the Muslim world.

Amala, of the Warrior caste, is the leader of her small Assamite band. She is joined by the sorcerer Sihr Haddad, and Fajr, of the Vizier caste. Unhappy with watching from the shadows, Amala leaves her two companions and walks openly into the camp, concealing her true identity by claiming she is a former Muslim woman who was converted to Christianity. She soon gains the trust of Sir Hugh and from that point, the rest of the story unfolds.

In the Dark Ages universe, Love and Religion are two aspects of a person that they have can have total control over one minute, and no control over the next. The two main characters, Sir Hugh and Amala, struggle over these issues in a dance of emotions, concluding in a twisted ending by the last chapter.

Amala has to pretend she is a converted Christian and thus, break rules that are core to her religious beliefs. She is also starting to feel attracted to the leader of the Templar knights, another source of internal strife. As a member of the Assamite Clan, this loss of control is completely frustrating.

Her opposite, and blossoming love interest, Sir Hugh, is a charismatic leader of men. As his influence in the region grows, the influence of an unknown, hidden master also grows. As he begins to question his religious beliefs and his calling in "unlife," he settles his inner debate by channeling both his doubts and the rage of the camp into plans to embark on a Crusade into Egypt.

Fajr was embraced as an Assamite Vizier late in his life. He has the look of an old man, but there is an inner fire burning behind his eyes. He has an insatiable thirst for knowledge, that may one day get him killed. He provides a small amount of relief from the drama of the story, and his character helps to tie some of the wild story hooks together.

The Assamite Sorcerer Fajr has lived most of his life in the wilderness. The theme of the lonely mage does ring true with him, but it does not border on a cliché. His character struggles with the desire to be alone with his studies, and the duty he feels to his clan and his clanmates. His private moments provide a lot of information about the thoughts and rituals of an Assamite Sorcerer.

Most fantasy novels in this genre resort to ancient vampires with god-like, powers, and combat scenes to keep the readers' interest. This novel, however, cleverly employs several emotional points to fuel debates between its characters. There is also a contemporary sub-plot, which involves a certain signature female Assamite talking to a possible recruit about joining their ranks.

This is a better book than many will expect. White Wolf has always portrayed the Assamite Clan as a cold, assassin clan. They are never shown as possessing the political subtleties that the members of other clans cherish. In the end, it tells its story without needing to fall back on clichés and provides some much needed depth to the Assamite Clan.