[1] Smith himself said the following about the novel: "That incident had all the elements of a great story setting because you have the captive characters who are having to interact with each other because there is no escape – siege conditions.

I’ve kept them intact.”[2] Smith researched the novel by consulting the diaries of participants, the most valuable of which was Austrian Rudolf von Slatin who was captured by the Mahdi and kept prisoner for thirteen years, and Samuel White Baker, governor General of the Sudan just before the siege.

Penrod Ballantyne, a captain in the 10th Hussars and a survivor of the Battle of El Obeid, is tasked by Evelyn Baring with taking messages to General Gordon and David Benbrook, the British consul in Khartoum.

After delivering his messages, Penrod is recruited by General Gordon to assist in the defense of the city, bringing him into contact with Ryder.

The two men work together to bring down a black market grain operation being run by Khartoum's corrupt Egyptian troops.

Rebecca Benbrook, the eldest daughter of David, struggles with her romantic feelings towards both men, kissing Ryder and later losing her virginity to Penrod.

Penrod leaves to warn General Stewart of the upcoming attack, evading Osman on the way again, with both men going on to participate in the Battle of Abu Klea.

Penrod, who has deserted from the British due to his impatience at Charles Wilson's slow organization, returns to discover what has happened and begins planning to rescue Rebecca and Amber, but he is captured by Mahdist forces and becomes a prisoner of Osman.

Rebecca, who had seduced Osman to ensure the continued safety of herself and Amber and is now pregnant with his child, chooses to remain behind, knowing that she would now be unwelcome in British society.

Penrod marries Amber, and is recruited by Horatio Kitchener to help train a new Egyptian desert army for the Anglo-Egyptian conquest of Sudan.