Set in the 1500, the Jangwe Kingdom has decided to use witchcraft as a military tool to get rid of the other kingdoms along the Zambezi Valley: the Tonga and Chirundu Kingdoms. It is in this kingdom where Tino and his team mates, Jabu and Wanda, join other initiates to become Njanji, Gombwe, and Shanduko warrior magicians. However, during the Initiation the boys discover that witchcraft has certain secret which they detest- the ritual killing of children. They rescue a young Tonga girl and hide her. Having killed an elephant during the Initiation, Tino is bestowed the title of Hombarume, a title which gives him privileges of being the third in line to the throne and the first warrior. The title infuriates the crown Prince Mamba who vows to get rid of the Hombarume and hence sets up several traps and plans to get rid of him. Tino and his friends find themselves going against the very kingdom they pledged to protect.