Sent by the High Kasrah of Kalan B'Mati to a neigbouring country in order to retrieve a magic pearl given as a dowry for the hand of the beautiful Princess Xala, the giant warrior, Bayak Penglima, and the short squat Vardak, the Black Skarran, soon discover that all is not as they had been led to believe. The Skarran finds himself drawn into a web of deceit, all the time being relentlessly pursued by the mysterious Cordova. But, who is Vardak? What is the reason for his erratic hold on the powers bestowed on him by the Necromancers of Ba'Nath and the Northern Mystics? And, where has he come from? Heroic fantasy in the style of Robert. E. Howard.