A story of science, ghosts, and mysticism, set during the time of the Crusades, "The Secrets of the Alchemists" shows the alchemical transformation of two enemies whose ideals overcome the intolerance of the times. A young Christian boy, Tristan, is taken captive by the Muslim forces during the Crusades. His Arab captor, Hazim, wishes to teach the boy the secrets of Arabic science and mysticism that he had wanted to teach his own son.