Book 5 of this series takes Miriamme and Henry from Syria across the newly Turkified lands of Anatolia through Persia and finally to Herat in Khorasan, Miriamme's home. Henry has been tasked with updating the geographic information about this part of the world by continuing the work of the 12th century geographer, al-Idrisi, who had worked for the first Sicilian king. Miriamme joins him in this endeavor and proves to be a diligent observer with the ability to incorporate what she sees with the stories told by fellow travelers to gain a deeper sense of the world. Henry's friend, Adhemar, his companion to Iconium two years before, joins them from Constantinople where he has been collecting intelligence on the unstable political situation. Georges, Miriamme's son, leaves the court of Tripoli to accompany his mother and add his skills as a warrior to the group. On this staged journey of picking up caravans from trading center to trading center, they travel with and meet different sorts of people: Genoese, Turcomens, Armenians, Khazar Jews, Hajjis returning from Mecca and Ayyars. Each person offers them a different outlook about why the world is as it is and how they see themselves in it.

In the towns and caravanserais, Henry constantly assesses the trading opportunities for Sicilian products and comes to an understanding of the play of geography and history and politics in trade. Miriamme uses her skills as a healer to win friends and adherents. By a chance meeting they and their small group are asked to assist in an expedition to Georgia, to present the gifts of the Seljuk sultan to Queen Tamar in celebration of her wedding. In Georgia, their skills are put to excellent use to help the queen.

Eight months into their their journey and in Herat, Miriamme must decide if she will stay with her people, her family or return to Sicily with Henry.