Sitara, a young slave girl, is sold to a family of scholars, where she begins her journey of knowledge.

As nomads sack the city of Tun, Fatima and Sitara hide in the basement and wait for the others to return.

Sitara teams up with an unexpected ally in hopes of reclaiming Fatima's book that was stolen by the Mongols.

Sitara begins tutoring Sorghaghtani in Euclid's Elements, and learns more about Prince Tolui, the Otchigin.

Sitara agrees to serve as Sorghaghtani's spy, but her plans to infiltrate Chagatai's court quickly go awry.