The 'scramble for Africa' is underway. British colonists control territory between the Zambezi and Cape Colony. Only Zululand remains independent. The threat of invasion is ever present, and thirty thousand Zulu warriors stand ready to defend Cetshwayo, their king.

Swazi princess Nomguqo Dlamini serves in the royal household. Her life is made miserable by her hut mates' bullying. Cetshwayo, however, values her discreet presence and invites her to serve him directly. In this position, she observes first-hand the royal council's discussions.

To restore his cuckolded father's honour, Mehlokazulu Ngobese crosses into British-protected Natal where he garrots his own mother. The trespass is used by the Cape Colony government to justify its invasion. As the country is put on a war footing, an unlikely friendship develops between Nomguqo and Mehlokazulu.

The first military action at iSandlwana produces an overwhelming victory. However, in succeeding battles, inferior weaponry results in the Zulu defeat. In the power vacuum a civil war breaks out.

Will Cetshwayo's monarchy be restored? Will Mehlokazulu and Nomguqo be reunited? They plan for their future, but is their love strong enough to survive the chaos and anarchy left by war?