Chenna and Issla carry a mysterious message for a stranger on the other side of Oppelnot's mountains. With each beat of Issla’s wings, Chenna is reminded that the end of the journey also means the end of her relationship with Issla. She will have to choose between the home she knew in Craw's Peak and the home she has now in the dragon's saddle.

Each beat of Issla's wings plunge them deeper into territory patrolled by the Queen's dragonriders. During a narrow escape, Issla is severely injured and the end of the journey suddenly looks much closer. Chenna will need more than stitches, dragon salve, and the help of an ill-tempered hermit to complete her mission.

To save her dragon, Chenna will have to turn Issla over to the very people who are trying to stop her.