An epidemic of flower disease destroys a prosperous village, and the only survivor is the son of a tailor and a witch doctor. His days are numbered: the first symptoms of the incurable disease have manifested themselves, and all the doors of the kingdom are closing in front of the boy. All but one.

The unsociable owner of the fading estate, who hides his face under a sinister mask, gives the emaciated traveler refuge among other unusual guests. A circus acrobat, two highway thugs, and a noble knight and his arrogant young master share a common misfortune: they are living out their last days here, hoping for a miraculous rescue. And the owner of the estate turns out to be a skillful healer, whose methods are not approved by either the church or the medical community.

The hero becomes a pawn in Dr. Kinderwood's chess game with death. A pawn that can turn into any piece.