After suffering a crushing defeat, The Dark Wizard flees into the khalifates to regain his strength, pursued by an army from the Free Kingdoms. Meanwhile, the dark wizard's dragons range up and down the mountains, burning forests and attacking the griffin riders in their aeries. With her father dead, the young leader of the griffin riders must venture into the northern wilds to tame the powerful and elusive golden griffin. If she fails, her people will be scattered and destroyed.