This is because her mother had died in an accident during a flight with dragons, and her father, Huw, couldn't afford to lose Cara as well.

She ends up having to train a young farm boy called Drane to muck out the stables and do all the things she does.

Cara is still determined to convince her father to let her ride dragons and one day go to the competitions with Skydancer.

When they're being circled in by the Firedogs and Howlers Sky dancer runs out of flame and Drane encourages Cara to ride Skydancer.

Back in the mountains, Drane finally gets Cara to ride Skydancer, but was picked up in Sky's talons!

Skydancer makes mistakes based on Hortenses confusing signals and they lose the competition.

The dragon and dragonrider live happily ever after and fly off into the noon sun, at least until the novel's sequel.