Kasyan Terronsky, a reclusive alchemist, has long abandoned grand magical pursuits in favor of brewing potions for foolish clients and dealing with idiotic mercenaries. But now, he stands on the verge of a breakthrough—creating a formula that could change alchemy itself. If only the world would let him work in peace. A particularly persistent necromancer keeps sending zombie messengers, the local lord demands aid, and to top it all off, a plague is spreading. Everything conspires to drag him away from his research. Will Kasyan ever complete his life's work, or is he doomed to spend his days brewing yet another cure for the accursed Backside Affliction?