A candid but squeamish aged shipbuilder named Alaa, a faithful and bossy aged armorer named Skygal, and a responsible and petty teenaged friar named Horntus situated in a palace near a dried up river bed found the Red Bow that causes gullibility. It starts with a bazaar, then to a battle, and ends with a royal court. A practical but shy venerable lampmaker named Grangill and a trusting and indecent child shaman named Wylmaid use this for political advantage.