A thousand years ago, on the world of Claire-Agon, a war raged between men and dragons. When an expedition of elite warriors goes missing in the fetid Kero Swamp, Olivia Moross, Priestess of Astor and daughter of the regional prefect, is caught in the conflict between her divine holy order, the sinister Kesh wizards, and the nobles of the ruling class of Ulatha. Seeking the fate of the lost expedition, and struggling to learn what might exist in the desolate Kero Swamp, Olivia finds herself battling forces both human and inhuman. With the help of her father's nobles and an unexpected Ranger of the Arnen, she must not only save her town, but also remain true to her beliefs in the pursuit of the truth. Olivia soon discovers that in the world of Claire-Agon, when dealing with a Black Dragon, sometimes dead is better.