Four generations ago in the land of Euthymia, King Thalion - called the Wise, but known as the Fool - gave his crown to his court jester, Sagamore. The jester became Sagamore the Shrewd, who begat King Vespin the Sneaky, who begat King Valgus the Brutal, father of the young Prince Abderian who - although not the eldest of Valgus's many children - may well inherit the throne - Everyone wants the throne but Abderian. Yet it is he who bears the Mark of Sagamore - and the Curse.