Scholarly eighteen-year-old Paula and her merchant father journey from Transylvania to Istanbul to buy an ancient pagan artifact rumored to be charmed, but others, including a handsome Portuguese pirate and an envoy from the magical Wildwood, want to acquire the item, as well. Scholarly Paula and her merchant father journey to Istanbul to buy an ancient pagan artifact rumored to be charmed, but others, including a Portuguese pirate and an envoy from the magical Wildwood, also want to acquire the item.