Lifestyle in the Harper Hall is busy for best friends Kindan, Nonala, and Kelsa. As the only female apprentices, Nonala and Kelsa will be the butt of jokes and easy targets for the bully Vaxoram and his cronies. However when Kindan springs to Kelsa’s protection, he winds up within a combat for his lifestyle against the older, larger Vaxoram – a combat that will result in a surprising camaraderie. Meanwhile, in close by Fort Keep, a clutch of fire-lizard eggs is about to hatch, and Lord Bemin’s beautiful young daughter, about Dragon Harper Koriana, is determined to Impress among the delightful creatures. At the hatching, Kindan Impresses a fire-lizard of his own…and wins the heart of Koriana. But Lord Bemin mistrusts harpers and will not hear of a match between his daughter as well as the low-born Kindan. Then fate intervenes by means of a virulent plague as fast-spreading since it can be deadly. Arising instantly, as if out of nowhere, the contagion decimates hold after hold, paying out no heed to distinctions of delivery. With this feverish crucible, a friendly relationship and like will be tested towards the breaking point and beyond. For with Threadfall scant years aside, the Dragonriders dare not really expose themselves to an infection, and it will fall to Kindan and his fellow apprentices to bravely visit a treat and save mankind. The price of failure is unthinkable. However the cost of success may be even harder to bear.