On the Land of Arran, following the Lah'saa-Slovtan affair, the Magi must now obey a new law: to be identified and to serve a human lord! If he refuses, the Magi is hunted down by the order of the Shadows, imprisoned or as the case may be, executed! Tyrom, an old hermit, is attached despite him to Shannon, a mischievous kid of Castlelek. This independent city is coveted by King Gerald who intends to annex him to his kingdom. So, when Tyrom sees a mercenary threatening Shannon, he interposes himself. The next moment, the smoking remains of the mercenary lie at his feet. He does not understand what he has just done. Is he a Magi? And if so, why did he lose his memory?