 She is fleeing the forces of the avaricious Duke of Landai, occupier of her fief and aspirant to her hand.But Thorolf gains a burden rather than gratitude by rescuing the self-important peeress from her pursuers.To hide the countess from her enemy Thorolf takes her to the Rhaetian capital of Zurshnitt, where his enchanter friend Doctor Bardi undertakes to magically disguise her features.