Jorian of Xylarsky, along with his traveling companion Zerlik, travels to the capital of the Penembay Empire, south of Novaria, where he will have to repair the clock on the tower of Kumashara, the great lighthouse of Iraz. Many years ago, they were installed by his father, the talented watchmaker Evor. But in a foreign country, the former king faces a new test - a meeting with the leader of the mercenaries and the revolutionary army, Ishbahar. Jorian will need not only cunning, but also luck to simply get out of here alive, let alone save the city and cling to the slim hope of bringing back his beloved wife Estrildis with the help of Caradur's flying bathtub.