The Stone God is building in power . . . Defeating an empire takes many weapons, and Rhenna and her band -- including shape-shifting panther Cian -- must brave unpredictable dangers, crossing vast deserts, trackless jungles and impenetratable swamps to seek the Hammer of the Earth. Yet the Exalted Ge, who holds the Hammer in her stronghold, has set deadly traps that rise out of the Earth itself. Even if Rhenna and her companions can defeat a goddess, do they dare trust each other when the Hammer has done its work? Meanwhile, in Karchedon, their ally Quintus must decide if working from within the Emperor's palace will aid in the downfall of the Stone God or simply betray all he holds dear. Despite every battle won, the power of the Stone God still stands against them. And the ultimate victory may demand the ultimate price . . .