Sebastian Condign is a chip off the old block. Like his father, seventeen-year-old Sebastian can speak with dragons. Life in Vanali couldn't be better. Between alchemy lessons and training with the wardens, Sebastian's only concerns are about playing hooky and going exploring with Ana Bellwether, his life-long friend and daughter of Iria Mian.When a colossal summer storm blows Sebastian and Ana across the sea while riding Meriakossi, the easygoing life he's used to takes a dramatic change for the worse. Lindi is nothing like Salia: the people are different, the dragons are different, and a strange religion worshiping the immortal Host of God holds sway over the land.All Sebastian and Ana want to do is find a way to get home with Meriakossi, but intrigue and death stand between them and the only seaport that has traffic all the way back to Salia. Sebastian and Ana have been trained for just this sort of situation, but training only goes so far.