Set in the court of King Stephen in 1136, the story follows Greta the Witch, a clever courtier haunted by a disturbing vision of the future. Her foresight includes an enigmatic silver man, a traveler from another world, hinting at a connection between realms and the impending chaos of her time. Greta's journey intertwines fate, power, and the supernatural as she navigates the treacherous political landscape.
Peter Wong takes part in a t'ai chi competition in London, to prove to himself and his family that he is always willing to compete. At fifty-nine, he feels that he should demonstrate that he can do something well, but he has no memory of the competition. Later, he wakes up on a spaceship and learns from his guardian, Robot No.4, that he is a clone of himself, recovered from the car crash in which he died. Peter must make a new 'life' for himself, in another world, peopled by clones. On this planet, he must live as a warrior clone under the Benefactor and teach t'ai chi to future clones. In short, he is a slave.