Chapters 1-4 Summary

The novel is set in 1491 in the fictional Kingdom of Pergamontio, which appears to be somewhere in Italy based on the speech of the characters.

Chapter 1. Fabrizio, servant to Mangus the Magician, is reading tarot cards, hoping to learn Mangus' future, when there is a knock at the door. Fabrizio is frightened to find a soldier from the castle there. The man has a letter from Count Scarazoni, the same count who had Mangus tried for using magic months before.

Chapter 2. Fabrizio takes Count Scarazoni's letter to Mangus. When Fabrizio learns that Mangus is to go to the castle, he becomes concerned that Mangus is finally to be put to death for his crime. Fabrizio begs Mangus to allow him to go along. After gaining Mangus' permission, Fabrizio rushes upstairs to inform Mangus's wife, Sophia, of what is happening. Sophia gives...