In the busy village square, Lukas is drawn to a magician called Battisto the Magnificent, who promiese adventure to anyone who will pay for it. Anxious for excitement, Lukas spends a silver coin and volunteers to take part in Battisto's magic. He is plunged into a tub of water and finds himself washed ashore in a new land of palaces and hidden treasure.

To his astonishment, Lukas is hailed King of Abadan by those who find him. But his life in the palace is endangered by rivals who threaten to overthrow him. Running for his life, Lukas takes off with the court astrologer, a hot-tempered slave girl, and a poet. Not in his wildest dreams could Lukas have imagined this strange turn of events. And the adventure is just beginning...