Maddigan's Fantasia has been charged with a secret quest - to get a new solar converter to save their home city of Solis. At the outset of their journey along dangerous roads, their map reader is killed and their ring master gravely wounded.

The Fantasia visit the industrialized city of Gramth in search of fuel. Corruption is rife and poor children who can't afford an exemption are enslaved in the mines. When Lillith is captured and put to work, Garland and Timon try to free her, while Boomer too gets a chance to prove his mettle.