Kellen is about to participate in a magicians' contest that will decide his fate as a spellslinger, but his magic has disappeared! He'll have to come up with a plan B and fast! When a mysterious stranger named Ferius Parfax arrives in town, Kellen is all ears. Ferius is an exile who lives by his wits and the three decks of cards he always carries around. Perhaps he won't be able to help Kellen get his magic back, but he sure can teach him about the world and the dangerous secrets the townsfolk are hiding.