For the Princess Sharlin the awakening of the dragons brings a promise of hope: only with the powers of the pregnant Dragon Queen Turiana can Sharlin return home and lead her people to victory over the evil sorceress. But first Sharlin and her battle-companion, the commoner Dar, must fight the terrible witchking Valorek. And with Turiana's help they will succeed if they can accomplish the impossible: go back in time to save a people whose defeat is already etched in stone. But they must also race against time. For Turiana is almost ready to spawn her eggs..almost ready to die.