Alastar finds himself in the middle of a power struggle after taking the helm of the declining Solidar's Collegium of Imagers. Four centuries after its founding, Solidar's Collegium of Imagers is in decline. The dying Maitre summons Alastar, an obscure but talented senior imager from Westisle far to the south who has little knowledge of politics in the capital, as his successor. When Alastar arrives in L'Excelsis he finds disarray and lack of discipline...

While trying to focus on a winning soccer season, thirteen-year-old Tess becomes involved in local politics when she learns that all sports programs at her school will be stopped unless a tax levy is passed.

The small town of Putterton has managed to avoid all the troubles associated with modern life, such as crime and high prices. But when the new tax man arrives in the form of an ambitious, young and beautiful inspector, Caroline DeVille, the town's idyllic lifestyle is turned upside down. Despite George Putter's best efforts, he cannot keep her from discovering the town's dirty little secret - they have not paid a dime in taxes since World War II.