Empires rise and fall, but the stars remain the same. Renowned French astronomer and expert on Halley's Comet Joseph Nicollet is shown a bizarre map by a Scottish noblewoman who believes it tells the location of the Philosopher's Stone. When the noblewoman is murdered and the map is stolen, Nicollet embarks on a dangerous quest to discover the truth behind the ancient legend. With only the memory of the mysterious treasure map to go on, Nicollet leads a mapping expedition into the untamed forests and wild rivers of Minnesota, where mysticism still lingers in the shadows. Driven by science yet deeply religious, wild at heart but frail of body, and capable of inspiring friendship while keeping dark secrets, Joseph Nicollet must choose between his reputation and his duty to the truth. Will the stolen map's strange clues allow Nicollet to find the ancient treasure? Or will a faceless adversary destroy his works and dreams before the truth can be discovered?