In this novel, written by a mountain climber, Fata receives a telegram from her old friends Irvine and Mallory asking for her help. She is a mountain fairy, but she knows that she will need to count her friend Pemba in order to be successful. He is willing to learn everything about surviving on the mountain. Although they have good intentions, dark shadows accompany them on their mission. Information on George Mallory and Andrew Irvine is included at the end of the story.