Dug, the Mundane who had had an adventure in Xanth through the Companions of Xanthcomputer game, is now happily married to Kim. His friend Edsel on the other hand is on the rock with his marriage to Pia, Dug's old girlfriend, who wants a divorce. Edsel, not wanting to lose her strikes a deal with her, they take a two-week vacation in Xanth, switching with Nimby and Chlorine who want tolearn about Mundania, and if she doesn't change her mind, he won't fight it.