The wine's gone off The ale's musty The cheese turned green on the spoon How do you solve a curse when it's no more than they deserve? Ibram Ucalegon is an arm-for-hire with a slight problem. He's committed the mortal sin of working for one noble while poking through the house of another. Worst of all, he was caught! In return for his freedom, Ibram swears to supply Lord Halfrey with an introduction to his employer, Lady Azadiya Hobon, alchemist extraordinaire. All Lord Halfrey has to do is let Ibram out of his cage. But on the day of Halfrey's introductory gala, a cursebird flies in the face of everybody's plans. Can Lady Azadiya discover the culprit and save the party before Ibram trades in his smooth sailing for another hard landing?