Jessica and her twin brother Jeremiah are determined on joining them selves to the riders academy. to make themselves a part of an elite scouting and first defense against thew great dragons of the southern black mountains.  adventure and danger are promised. all this despite their parents lack of approval. there is of-course a catch. they must be out their fellow students and convince a riderless great raptor to partner with them.  Something that is made even more daunting when they learn who teaches the new riders how to tactfully fly against dragons.  Drael, the massive  great ebony dragon that sleeps just beneath the eyrie tower where the great birds rest. with this and other surprises the twins find that everything is always more than it seems.