A boy awakens, blindfolded, with no memory of even his name, but soon meets Lord Umber, an adventurer and inventor, who calls him Happenstance and tells him that he has a very important destiny--and a powerful enemy.

"When a stranger knocks on his door and promises to lead him to hidden treasure, twelve-year-old Rudi is skeptical. And he's even more suspicious when the stranger proclaims that the jewels belonged to the legendary Hansel, Sure, Rudi's heard stories: the witch, the oven, the sister named Gretel. But he never full believed they were real. Until now-- Life has been unkind to Rudi, and to Lucie and Elsebeth, the two little girls he looks after. So when...

Having learned more about his mysterious past, Happenstance accompanies Lord Umber on a daring journey that could affect the future of Kuraharen.