When Aralaiah, along with Red Queen and ‎Bronze Queen, attacked the Demorsans and prevented ‎the invasion of Dracos, she thought that Red Queen ‎had offered to carry her just that one time. But then, ‎Ullra Mobit turns up demanding to know what ‎Aralaiah means to do, and she discovers that Red ‎Queen has chosen her to be her rider. ‎
She is now First Rider of Dracos, and not only ‎did Red Queen not bother to tell Aralaiah this, she has ‎also been making other demands on her behalf – ‎demands that Aralaiah knows nothing about and ‎strongly disagrees with. When she taxes Red Queen ‎with these omissions and refuses to be treated like a ‎possession, Red Queen almost kills her in a fit of ‎temper. Blue-green Queen heals the damage, and ‎Aralaiah finally comes to an agreement with Red ‎Queen. At least that crisis is over.‎
There's no rest to be had, though. Heroine of ‎Dracos or not, there's teaching to be done. The people ‎of Dracos need what Aralaiah can teach them now ‎more than ever, but winter is closing in, and so are the ‎Demorsans. There is no time for her to rest on her ‎laurels, or even to recover from her latest adventure. ‎The very day after the battle against the Sorcerers' ‎men, she and the team are off on another teaching trip. ‎
Security is even tighter this time around. The ‎intelligence people have discovered that the Sorcerers' ‎aims in respect to Aralaiah have changed. They no ‎longer want to kill her. Now, they want to capture her ‎alive. When an attack on the road almost kills one of ‎Aralaiah's friends, she knows things are getting ‎serious.‎
But she has no idea how serious until a few days ‎later when a dragon arrives with an urgent message. ‎Having failed to capture Aralaiah, the Demorsans ‎have now changed their tactics. They've kidnapped ‎Pryn and Draken and they're threatening to kill them ‎unless Aralaiah gives herself up to them. ‎
But the government of Dracos isn't about to allow ‎that. Aralaiah and Beda are virtual prisoners in their ‎home. And meantime, Draken and Pryn are out there ‎somewhere, in mortal danger. Life just gets more and ‎more complicated.‎
Rainbow Mage, Heir of Ghlent, Heroine of ‎Dracos, even First Rider, none if it means much when ‎two of Aralaiah's best friends are in danger and she ‎can't do anything to help them. Every human agency ‎and every dragon in Dracos is trying to find them, but ‎until (and unless) they do, Draken and Pryn are on ‎their own. ‎
Join Aralaiah and Beda, Draken and Pryn on what ‎may be their most nerve-racking adventure yet.‎