Jerusalem, 1192. The Third Crusade rages on. Rahma al-Hud loyally followed her elder sister, Zeena, into the war over the Holy Land, but now all she wants to do is get herself and her sister home alive. When Zeena refuses to give up the fight while Jerusalem remains in danger, Rahma has no choice but to take on one final mission.

On their journey, the sisters come across a motley collection of fellow travellers. The teens all find solace, purpose, and camaraderie—as well as a healthy bit of mischief—in each other's company. But their travels soon bring them into the orbit of Queen Isabella herself, whose plans to resize power would only guarantee further war in the Holy Land for years to come.

And so it falls to the merry band of misfits to use every scrap of cunning and wit (and a bit of thievery) to foil the usurper queen.