There is treachery afoot in Randast. An evil plot to harm the Pantocrator, Alan the Just, is being hatched and Aaryn is summoned from the High Islands to thwart those involved. Using his various magical talents and powers, he must ferret out the conspirators and bring them to justice. Before he reaches the City, however, he finds himself rescuing a mysterious young woman, Jordana, and a dubious thief named Zompre from a band of vengeful gypsies. Together the trio entered the imperial city on the eve of the Banquet of the Gathering and Aaryn enlists the help of Zompre to gather the information he requires. But he soon learns the evil the pursues is more dangerous than he imagined.