Fool's Proof

Former Royal Fool Malfred Murd let himself get disgruntled, disgraced, and dismissed. Now a penniless exile-- whose self-appointed magpie advisor Corvinalias is leading him further into perdition day by day-- Fred takes a gamble that might win back a little of his former glory. All he has to do is trick a sweet, batty old lady into thinking he can work magic.

But the lady is Dame Elsebet de Whellen, proud ruler of a technologically advanced country that's poised between survival and destruction. Sweet she may be- but she's also armed, deadly, and crazy enough to drag Fred along with her on the desperate rescue mission that will decide the future of her people.