The dragon lord to the five kingdoms has been assassinated, throwing the kingdoms into turmoil. After young dragon rider Alaric Smithson is relieved of duty, he enters to vie for the position of dragon lord. With his reluctant companion, the seer Cassandra Youngblood, they uncover a conspiracy that could disrupt the Spring Council of the five kingdoms and bring about war. Together with Alaric's father, Adric Smithson, captain of the Palace Guard, and Princess Kari, Cassandra's mentor, they race against time to expose the conspirators to prevent the war that is about to be thrust upon them.