William Tell is in despair - he believes Kalem is dead, and that without her the Quest is lost.

Drogo arrives with news from the Citadel of Xax's impending Coronation. Xax has declared he will go on the Pilgrimage of Kings alone, as the Statutes require ...

But when has Xax ever obeyed the Statutes? Will is convinced this must be a trap, and not a very subtle one at that. Aruna, however, has become impatient and angry with Will's passivity since Kalem's ""death"". Against orders, she goes after Xax - and is herself captured.

Will joins a ragged band of prisoners and thus creeps into the Citadel to rescue her, but cannot escape from the giant Gar, who has been set the task of training the prisoners. They will perform as gladiators during the Coronation festivities: fighting to the death for the amusement of the crowd.

Meanwhile, Xax has an extraordinary plan for Aruna - to make her his Warrior Queen. Confused and angry with Will, Aruna is vulnerable to Xax's manipulations of the truth. To