[1] It follows the adventures of Dessa (a human), Topper (a dwarf-sized humanoid creature called a norker), and Fisk (a big-sized humanoid creature called an ettin with only one head as opposed to his kind's usual two) as they run from the Queen's "Dragons" (elite personal knights) and at the same time try to track down Greyfalcon, the royal chamberlain who kidnapped Dessa's twin brother.
Back in Kingsbridge, Queen Magda orders all of the Dragons, a group of the 12 best knights in the kingdom, to pursue and capture the three thieves and Greyfalcon.
During the night, Captain Drake and the rest of the Dragons all arrive at the Inn, and the three thieves narrowly avoid being captured several times.
By the end of the night, the Dragons have caught a group of smugglers and arrested the owner of the Inn, Mortimer Grig, but haven't managed to apprehend the three thieves.
After the Dragons leave, Dessa learns from Grig's wife that Greyfalcon stayed at the Inn many years ago.
[7] The book follows Captain Drake as he continues to try to capture Topper, Fisk, and an injured Dessa, who are holed up in a remote monastery.
While attempting to find them by any means possible, Captain Drake is haunted by memories of his early days as one of the King's Dragons.
[8] The book follows Dessa, Topper, and Fisk as they ride out to sea with a band of smugglers, hoping to find the Island of Astaroth.
[10] The book follows Dessa, Topper, and Captain Drake as they race back to Kingsbridge to make a final confrontation with Greyfalcon.
During an attempt to rob the treasury of the evil Queen Magda, she finds a clue to the whereabouts of her long-lost twin brother Jared.
Topper: a blue norker, a diminutive mythical creature native to the Six Kingdoms, a juggler with the circus troupe and a pickpocket.
Fisk: a mythical creature of great stature and strength who joined the circus troupe after being rejected by his tribe for being born with only one head (most ettins have 2).
Even though he is nearly 20 years Magda's junior, North Huntington's laws of Male primogenitor decree him to be the true heir of Roderick, even though he was illegitimately conceived.
The Kings (Queens) Dragons: the elite group of soldiers who are bodyguards and shock troopers for the monarchs of North Huntington.