Brutal, unprecedented murders take place in Summersea - members of the Rockat merchant family die one after another in broad daylight. Spells and steel are powerless against murderers. This crisis becomes an ordeal for Duke Vedris, who is recovering from a heart attack under the care of his great-niece, Sandry. An additional problem for her is the unexpected discovery of Pasko Akalon, a boy who owns a rare type of ambient magic - the magic of dance. The law states that if there is no other person nearby who knows the same type of magic, then Sandry is obliged to teach the boy.