Pellar is an orphan taken in by Masterharper Zist. Though born mute, Pellar is usually a gifted tracker, and when Zist sets off to take over as harper for Natalon’s coal-mining camp, Pellar – together with his fire-lizard, Chitter – joins him on a secret mission of his personal: to find out if reported thefts of coal are the work from the Shunned, crooks condemned to a lifestyle of wandering and hardship. Halla is one of the children from the Shunned. Though innocent of their parents’ offences, these children have got about Dragon’s Fireplace inherited their cruel abuse. Lack of meals, shelter, and clothes is their great deal; hope is unknown to them. And what long term would they expect? Without a keep to call their own, there will be no protection on their behalf when the lethal Thread inevitably falls again. Lifestyle is particularly hard for Halla. Her family members eliminated, she must fend for herself. Yet despite the brutality of her environment, Halla is usually kind and mild, specialized in those even more helpless than she. As depraved as Halla is usually good, Tenim is in little league with Tarik, a crooked miner from Camp Natalon, who helps him steal coal in trade for a cut of the revenue.

But Tenim quickly realizes there’s a many more to be produced from firestone, the volatile nutrient that enables the dragons of Pern to burn Thread from the sky. Tenim doesn’t treatment what he has to do, or whom he has to kill, in order to corner the marketplace. Cristov is Tarik’s child. Dishonored by his father’s greed and treachery, the youngster feels he must make amends, actually if this means risking his existence by mining the volatile firestone, which detonates on contact with the slightest drop of moisture.

When the last remaining firestone mine explodes in flames, a desperate race begins to find a new deposit of the deadly but essential mineral, for without it there can be no defense against Thread. But Tenim includes a murderous intend to convert tragedy to his very own advantage, in support of Pellar, Halla, and Cristov can stop him – and ensure that there will be a future for everyone on the world of the Dragonriders.