Clint Vaslef, almost eighteen and about to age out of his orphanage, runs off to seek his own future. He finds a magical gem that embeds itself in his hand and transports him to the world of Yorkuni, one that is swathed in shadow most of the day.

Aided by Mira, a young woman roughly his age?and a thief, among other things?they travel across the land in search of the Inn of Imagi, the only place where he might be able to get rid of the gem and return to Earth.

The gem's magic protects Clint, as it has the ability to bring him back from the dead, but only five times, so he has to be careful in everything he does.

He also begins to wonder if Mira is really on his side, and by the time he learns the truth, it might already be too late.