The Black Witch has sent an enchanted balloon to destroy Fantaghirò's castle. Fantaghirò, Romualdo and King Hadrian are able to stop it from destroying the walls, but they are caught in it and are spirited away from the kingdom toward an unknown destination. Fantaghirò follows them by riding on Golden Mane, but eventually the balloon flies over the sea. Fantaghirò manages to get passage on a mysterious ship, but it turns out to be more complicated...