Matt didn't know the scrap of parchment was a trap. So he read the runes - and found himself on a world where reciting poetry verses worked magic. His first effort got him locked in a dungeon by the evil sorcerer Malingo. Trying for light, he brought forth a fire-breathing, drunken dragon, who told him Princess Alisande, rightful ruler of Merovence, was also held in the dungeon.
Naturally, he had to free her, himself, and the dragon, using poetry lifted from Shakespeare. And because she was young and beautiful, he swore to serve as her wizard. Then he learned that his job as wizard was to fix it so the three of them could overcome all the dark magic and armies of Malingo!
The addition to the party of a lust-witch and a priest who became a werewolf now and then didn't seem much help. Matt figured he had got himself into quite a predicament.
For once, he was right!
This 25th anniversary eBook edition includes a new introduction by the author and new cover art.
Christopher Stasheff is a teacher, thespian, techie, and author of
science fiction & fantasy novels. One of the pioneers of "science
fantasy," his career spans four decades, 44 novels (including
translations into Czech, German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese), 29
short stories, and seven 7 anthologies. His novels are famous for their
humor (and bad puns), exploration of comparative political systems, and
philosophical undertones.