In search of his long-lost father - a former pirate and smuggler - the main character of the novel, Rickard Bret, flies to the planet Coltri, which served as a refuge for those who are at odds with the law. The local morals and customs shock the young historian, but he quickly discovers the makings of a “real man” and learns the laws of the jungle, forcing the local residents to reckon with themselves. Meanwhile, it turns out that Coltry's story is not so simple. Several other ancient intelligent races live here, including terrible dragons. Ricard Bret manages to learn more about these races than anyone else, and most importantly, he learns that it was the treasury of one of them that his father tried to find at one time. The time has come, and Rickard embarks on a risky journey in search of his father’s treasury...