Seven tales describe magical beings that inhabit our waters. Some are familiar mer-people; some as strange as as a golden eye in a pool at the edge of the Great Desert Kalarsham, where the mad god Geljdreth rules; or the unknowable, immense Kraken, dark beyond the darkness of the deepest ocean, who will one day rise and rule the world. 1 Prologue: The water sprite / Robin mcKinley and Peter Dickinson 2 Mermaid song / Peter Dickinson — 3 The sea-king's son / Robin McKinley — 4 Sea serpent / Peter Dickinson — 5 Water horse / Robin McKinley — 6 Kraken / Peter Dickinson — 7 A pool in the desert / Robin McKinley.

5 tales set from prehistoric to present, market to dragon academy. 1 First Flight - a boy and pet unexpectedly ride a dragon 2 Hellhound - stars a mysterious dog in a graveyard showdown 3 Fireworm - a young man must defend his clan from a creature 4 Salamander Man - a slave saves his village with a fiery spell 5 Phoenix - a girl's new friend is older than he appears