AcampertravelsthebackroadsofAmerica,butitisnotwhatitseems.Pursuedbypowerfulforces:amastermind,amaniac,andaterrorist,itscrewwondersifthey'lleverreachJourney'send.WhenEloiseCorwin-alongtimepatientinherdeserthometown'sinfirmary-findsawoundedyoungtravelersharinghersickroom;sheinsiststhathetellherabouthisadventures.Theyoungman,OrsonGregory,tellsherhowhefoundandstoleaglowinggemstone,hiddenfordecadesbeneaththegovernment-builtfactorybesidehisfamilyfarm.Hetellsherhowhe'sbeenchasedeversince-bymercenaries,byterrorists,andbyother,strangerenemies.Hetellsherhowhethrewinhislotwitharealadventurer,amythologyprofessor,aninnkeeper,andaduoofhiredgunsonacross-countryjourneytoclearhisnameandreturnhome-somethinghe'scurrentlyfailingtodo.Toreachsafety,themotleytravelerswillfirsthavetodealwitheachother,evadethefoesthatfollowtheireverymove,andtanglewithotherforcesbothstrangeandpowerful,theirfellowtravelersontheWayfarersHighway.