Upon the death of her mother, Dashti, a mucker, has come to the city to seek employment, and luck is with her, it seems, as she is hired as the maid to Lady Saren. Dashti swears her allegiance to her new employer, and, as a result, feels it is her duty to accompany Lady Saren to the tower where they are to be confined for seven years. Lady Saren's father is angry that she has not accepted Khan Khasar as her intended. Lady Saren loves another, Khan Tegus. Trapped in the tower, Dashti and Lady must survive against the rats, the dwindling resources and the hideous Khan Khasar. Is there a way out?