After two women are hanged for forcing a boy into marriage, Aaron Turner, a militia spy and world jumping teleporter, encounters a surly wagon master and learns that after living for a year in the small town of Last Chance that he is finally a fully accepted member of the community.

A day later, Aaron learns of past troubles Last Chance has had with Movers. He has a small incident with Haarod Beech, the wagon master. During the incident a part time employee of his General Store, Cathy Bayne, creates a distraction and gives Aaron warning when Beech pulls out something she calls a Talent Stone.