Ludvik had to leave home at an early age. Knocking about odd corners of the empire was providing an education of sorts, but now Ludvik has been fired again. With no skills as a merchant, but stuck with a wagon full of gadgets, he has to sell them somehow. That was why he decided to join a group of travellers on their journey to the Needles. In no way was his decision influenced by the charms of one Lizzy the Red. His journey to the Needles is only the beginning. Tossed from one escapade to the next, Ludvik is soon cast to the whims of devious wizards and a diabolical dragon. In the days to come, Ludvik has to make a lot of choices. His skills and values increasingly challenged, he must adapt to his magical world just to survive. Something has changed in Ludvik, and learning what that is may take a different kind of bravery.