When the queen is murdered in her own palace at Tarangar, by those who believe they can govern the land to a better future, they initiate - albeit unwittingly - the destruction of their world. Evil workings, begun by the arcane weavings of one twisted mage, quickly spread across the land in the form of dragon fire and a mercenary army, operating from a huge fortress, built by the sweat and blood of countless slaves. Only the Sky-Water Dragons can save mankind, but they, too, have been caught up in the mage's workings, their Caller murdered, leaving his apprentice of seven months to unlock the secrets and break the spell - a task for which he his woefully unprepared. A huge army, formed at Tarangar by the High Council, is intercepted by the Fire-Water Dragons only a few days march from the palace. For the survivors of this mindless slaughter life soon becomes a series of nightmares from which they cannot awake. While most hide in fear of their lives a brother and sister search for a way to bring the Sky-Water Dragons to their aid. If they fail the land will be lost and mankind become extinct.