Lief, Barda, and jasmine - three companions with nothing in common but their hatred of the enemy - are on a perilous quest to recapture the seven gems of the magic Belt of Deltora. Only when the Belt is complete can the evil Shadow Lord be overthrown. They have succeeded in finding the golden topaz and the great ruby. Two gems' mysterious powers have strengthened them and given them courage to move on in their search for the third stone. But none...

Lief, Barda, and Jasmine continue the quest to restore the gems to the magic belt of Deltora, stolen before the Shadow Lord invaded and enslaved their kingdom. Now they seek the fourth gem hidden in the barren waste of the Shifting Sands and kept by a jealous, unknown guardian.