Farncis is skilled at deception and trickery, but he might have gone too far this time. Not only is he trying to swindle the Emperor, but he's impersonating one of the most powerful and ill-tempered mages in the land to do it. If only he hadn't fallen for Princess Mindra, he might have set his odds for success at fifty-fifty. Now he must push his charm and quick wit to the limit to avoid a very unpleasant and drawn-out death. Will his talents, and help from an unlikely source, be enough to save him?