In the tropical kingdom of Yaxchilan, ringed by vibrant jungles and powerful rivers, two royal daughters are born, destined to change the course of the war that threatens to destroy their home. Chanil, the older, and Itza', the younger, grow up under the guidance of Queen Xok and the warrior Lady Night Star. Despite Xok's insistence that Chanil learn to be a proper queen as Yaxchilan's heir-apparent, Chanil defies her mother and rushes into battle in hopes of becoming a great warrior that guides their people to victory. Itza', however, is desperate to learn about the incapacitating power that lies behind her obsidian-black eyes and uncover deeply-buried family secrets regarding the king's mysterious illness. As adults, Chanil defends their lands from the army that seeks to destroy it, but she is soon forced to rethink her role as a warrior in the face of the unexpected. Meanwhile, Itza' uses her cunning to form covert political alliances and networks of spies to gain favor in the war, but she must endure the trials of a scorned ex-ally who may hold the key to unlocking family secrets.
In the tropical kingdom of Yaxchilan, ringed by vibrant jungles and powerful rivers, two royal daughters are born, destined to change the course of the war that threatens to destroy their home. Chanil, the older, and Itza', the younger, grow up under the guidance of Queen Xok and the warrior Lady Night Star. Despite Xok's insistence that Chanil learn to be a proper queen as Yaxchilan's heir-apparent, Chanil defies her mother and rushes into battle in hopes of becoming a great warrior that guides their people to victory. Itza', however, is desperate to learn about the incapacitating power that lies behind her obsidian-black eyes and uncover deeply-buried family secrets regarding the king's mysterious illness. As adults, Chanil defends their lands from the army that seeks to destroy it, but she is soon forced to rethink her role as a warrior in the face of the unexpected. Meanwhile, Itza' uses her cunning to form covert political alliances and networks of spies to gain favor in the war, but she must endure the trials of a scorned ex-ally who may hold the key to unlocking family secrets.