In the dazzling and dangerous land of Marrakesh, globe-trotting scholar Omar Bakhoum joins an airship expedition into the freezing north in search of a fabled country called Ysland, but howling ice storms, legions of ghosts, and a deadly samurai stand in his path. His journey has barely begun before the members of the expedition team begin dying of a strange and sudden disease, and as the last remaining foreigner on board, Omar is accused of these murders. The one thing that can help him find the real killer is Omar's ancient sword, haunted by the souls of thousands of dead sages and warriors. But this sword may be the very thing that dooms the entire expedition to a watery grave.