 The story is notable for its satirization of contemporary pseudoscientific movements and for some parallels to Daniel Keyes's novel "Flowers for Algernon", which it predates.Adventurer Anthony Fallon, ex-ruler of the Krishnan kingdom of Zamba, has fallen on hard times.Currently he juggles dual roles as a respected member of the civic guard of Zanid, the capital of Balhib, and an undercover spy for the enemy horde of Qaathian nomads, all the while scheming to recover his lost throne.