Andrew Condign has gone to the deserts of Nas Shahr in the hopes of heading off a war. The dragons of the deep desert are attacking towns and villages, stirred to violence by some unknown agent. The ancient scourge of the Incantors has risen once more, corrupted alchemists with a dark secret. Through all this, Andrew must discover what it means to be a Dragon Speaker while fighting for his life. His journey into the desert...