This is the 2nd book in the Black Dove series. 14th century feudal Japan-After the Kenmu restoration Japan had experienced a short time of peace, this saw Go-Daigo rise to power and the dismemberment of the Kamakura Shogunate. However, dissatisfied with Go-Daigo's reluctance to meet the promises he has made in return for their support, the Samurai are now regrouping under the leadership of one of the old Minamoto Clan leaders-Takauji Ashikaga. In the midst of this uprising and after years of solitude, a highly skilled Ninja descends from his mountain retreat. His goal is to rid himself of the inner demons from his turbulent past that continue to haunt him. Borne out of witnessing the futility of war and its effect on people, especially himself, he is reluctant to continue on the warrior path. Along the way, he is confronted with people and places from his past, these draw out his inner demons and cause him to realise that his inner battles prove far more difficult to fight than any physical opponent.