Jynx is taught some fighting moves by his grandmother, in the Garden Hall of his submerged castle, Blackshire Keep. When he goes to his room (once belonging to his grandfather, Nekodemus), he is informed that he has a visitor for supper – the Korv Schoolmaster Bookman, from the village.

Bookman informs Jynx that he has learned of the whereabouts of Count Vlad's castle, and warns that Vlad is a monster – and undead creature of the night. Jynx is less than enthused by this particular turn, but is still determined to go after the man who humiliated him in the village. Grandmother Martinette, however, reminds Jynx of his quest to save the villagers from monsters, and so Jynx agrees to try to see if he can find some clues as to the identity of whomever stole the crystal shard that he might need to lift the curse on the region.