The covenant with the dragons is broken. No longer can like-minded magicians gather dragon magic and work communally to impose honor and ethics upon any single mage. Nimbulan, Senior Magician, and councilor to the king has had to exile his beloved wife, Myrilandel, because she is a witchwoman and no female can gather dragon magic. Now she is missing from her protected clearing along with their two adopted children.

To bring his wife home again, with only his loyal journeyman Rollett at his side, Nimbulan must brave the hostile city of Hanassa. The secret city is wrapped within a volcanic caldera and sealed off from the outside world. No dragon will venture there. It has become a haven for outlaws, smugglers, and rogue magicians.

Will Nimbulan's love give him enough courage and strength to endure the trials that await him? Will Myrilandel have enough cleverness to survive the cruelty of a renegade dragon who rules Hanassa with a bloody fist?