Will is soon assigned to a mission to determine the identity of a mysterious sorcerer in Grimsdell Wood, and to stop him from terrorising the castle of Macindaw.

Will goes under disguise as a jongleur; somebody who acts as a jester but doesn't serve a king, going around the kingdom entertaining for money.

Will then meets Keren (who enters the dining hall late) and is under the impression that he is an affable person.

The next day, Will sees sorcery books on Orman's table and suspects he is the sorcerer in the woods.

Halt (Will's former mentor) gets the report and decides he should send Horace, a knight on the king's guard as well as a friend of Will and Alyss, to help with Will's mission.