Pepin Merripen has become withdrawn and surly. Treyas blames the young queen, El'Leigh, of Mere Odain for Pepin's moodiness. Every time the two young people are together, sparks fly. But when Pepin learns that King Darosenim of Karsaba, and King Jansson of Odora Dava, have withdrawn their troops from Mere Odain, he becomes frantic. Who will now protect his dragon, Fayemera, and her hatchlings? Furious, he goes to Karsaba to take council with El'leigh, but soon disappears. No one knows where he has gone, and Treyas, Darosenim, and Ashton (Darosenim's guardian) follow his trail. It ends where magic begins.
