Filippo has never seen his father. Before he was born, his father left their home in Venice to travel to the court of the Great Magul Emperor Shah Jehan.

He never returned. Twelve years later, a stranger brings a message that Filippo's father is in the hands of bandits.

Filippo follow's his father's journey, into the intrigue of the Emperor's court and on into Afghanistan, to the bandit stronghold, and at last rescues his father.

But it's too late. His father has been driven mad by his captivity and dies on the journey home.