For centuries the baronial Magnus family has been famous for producing both swordsman and sorcerers. Alas, the days of chivalry are over and penniless younger son Anton Magnus has been forced to enlist in the royal hussars as a mere lancer. His future looks grim and unprofitable.

Inexplicably, he is summoned to the palace in the middle of the night and offered everything he could possibly hope to earn in a whole lifetime of service to his king--an earldom, wealth, high rank in the nobility, a great castle, and the hand of a beautiful heiress. The only snag is that the enemy is at the gates with guns and sorcery. Without supernatural assistance he cannot hope even to reach his new domain in time to organize its defense, let alone live to enjoy it.

Many Magnuses in the past have possessed sorcerous powers. Anton is not one of them. But he takes the job anyway.