Children are disappearing from the city of Seddon without a trace. The city gates are locked and guarded, but still the children disappear. One night, Seeger and his friend Boyd are taken and they at last understand the mystery. The abductors are using dragons! Two days later they arrive at the city of Midrash, where everything serves the military machine - including children who are forced to become soldiers. In a world in which they are daily confronted with violence and the loss of innocence, Seeger and Boyd struggle to maintain their humanity and their friendship. Their only hope of escape lies with a unique gift Seeger has discovered - but one which he must keep secret from his captors. He can speak to dragons.