Clio, the Muse of History, discovers the twenty-eighth volume of Xanth, but she cannot read it and does not remember writing it.

She also uses Che Centaur to prepare organic material, mainly peat, to form bodies for the dragon spirits.

She encounters Sherlock, a man from the Black Wave, banished from his village after a series of odd accidents.

It turns out that after a decade in Xanth, Sherlock developed a magical talent – to summon and control reverse wood.

Sherlock joins Clio in her quest, and later creates a lady Golem called Comealong as a companion for Getaway.

She also meets Umlaut and Surprise Golem, stranded in the Water Zone when rescuing Ciriana - a five year old girl whose talent is immunity to the Adult Conspiracy.

Back in Mount Parnassus Clio finally realizes that Sherlock’s talent is magician level, making him eligible to marry her.