The city of Vergen is raided; a red-haired father dies shielding his daughter Lia. Years later, war is declared and Sarafina marches out with an undead army. Ren steals a dragon egg, flees, and allies with a princess. Surrounded by pursuers, the egg hatches and the hatchling bonds with him — transforming a former slave into a dragon rider who reshapes the continent's fate.
