All wizard-for-hire Edward Red Mage really wants is to tell fortunes and cast spells for the lower classes of Belcamp-a-Lyr, in exchange for food and beer. Oh, and he might want to find a wife someday. But when an attempt is made on the life of the King's Royal Wizard, Edward has to take his place and travel to Saint Gabriel's Fair. The King's new bride is pregnant. If she dies before giving birth, the succession, and the entire kingdom of Belerin, will be in jeopardy. Anyone could be an assassin: from nobles of the court to freaks in a traveling circus, and Edward's supposedly prophetic dreams aren't giving him much guidance. Can a common-born wizard protect a Queen from a conspiracy against the throne? And can he avoid the advances of a beautiful circus performer who isn't interested in marriage–but might be interested in murder?