The time is circa 1300. The place is Dudley, a town in middle england, in an area that will later be known as 'The Black Country' as the Industrial Revolution ravages the land. Jacob, a country lad, dreams of becoming a soldier in the castle which dominates the land and its people alike. He didn't like his own name. And he didn't like being dumped on his grandmother while his dad was off fighting for King Edward. He missed his mum who had died, but Gran was alright really - she baked awesome pies! If only she would call him 'Jacques'. In the 14th Century, life could be pretty dull for a headstrong young boy. But when a stranger tricks Jacob into buying some 'magic' beans, suddenly amazing things start happening... and 'Jacques' finds himself in terrible danger! The magic's gone wrong - now he's a witness to a wicked deed, and someone wants him dead... Previously serialised by the 'Black Country Bugle' under the titles: For Four Silver Pennies Jacob and the Arrows of Doom Jacob in the Undercurrents