In this second book, the Wizard bids for the Solid Gold Palace, placed on the auction block by the blundering Administration, thus preserving the Traditions and customs of the oppressed people. The Wizard creates a ring that makes things appear with the help of the tricky spirit, Ziro. Jaka, the Wizardly feline, encounters the nightmare of his life when he is gifted a lazy obese "dream" kitten who prowls in the Solid Gold Palace, and corners him, then tries to lick him . The Wizard and friends battle huge rodent space creatures who devour worlds, and mysteriously "find" the fabled Threshold of the Universe.