Thomas O'Ryan is a junior in high school with a chance at dating Laurie Arnold, the only girl he ever really wanted to date. What could go wrong? Quite a bit as it turns out. While quietly considering his options, Thomas meets Jack, whose amazing tale begins in Normandy in 1065, and includes a sorcerer, a magical amulet, and a terrible spell. Jack wants help in finding the amulet, and offers a reward. Much to his own surprise, the conservative and not very risk-taking Thomas says yes. The adventure brings peril to them both, and others as well. For Thomas, it also plays havoc with life at John Clark High School, including his hopes for Laurie. His faith is tested as Thomas discovers that adventures have costs of many sorts.

This is the first of the Tales of Merindelon, fantasy with a Christian perspective, in which a young man has the chance to help end a great struggle affecting two worlds.