Aaron Lightfoot, proprietor of Lightfoot's Apothecary and Thaumaturgical Supplies, is interrupted from his study of old books on "Wyrms" by the arrival of two customers. One is filling prescriptions for his hypochrondriac master, while the other falls to temptation and loads up on sweets. Aaron gets a lead that the late Titus haut Mikide (a wealthy poodle with a peculiar way for going on "adventures") may have acquired a dragon's egg during his "travels".