A Queen's lady and a farm boy are chosen by fate to answer the dragon's challenge. They have to set aside their differences to succeed, to unify their people, and to survive. During their sixteenth year most of the youth from the highlands of Vandau will do something-usually something recklessly dangerous, incredibly stupid, and occasionally fatal-to prove that they are an adult. This year the bravest and boldest can participate in the dragon's challenge. The risks are great and so are the rewards if they succeed. If they fail, well, not everyone returns from a challenge like this....