Weird things are happening in the empire under the Black Moon. As soon as the intellectual tournament finished, three adherents were abducted at the ball, and, having found themselves not far from the frontier post BernWood, they, together with their friends, go through baptism of fire. In a few days two murders occur in the capital, and, supposedly, there is nothing in common between these two cases. However, lord Trimeer is sure that it is a "Deadly Bet", which is being put into effect by someone.