 Having been once victimized by the gem, he steals it and plans on returning his prize to a previous owner, the witch-queen Bathyllis of Phaiaxia, who has offered a reward for its return.With his ally, Aristax, he undertakes the harrowing journey into Phaiaxia and begins negotiating with the queen.But nothing is straightforward when dealing with a witch, and there are also other interested parties poised to complicate the situation...