The test in the Wayreth Tower of High Sorcery is completed, and the Majere brothers, the mage Raistlin and the warrior Caramon join the mercenary squad - now they must be baptized in the crucible of real battle. Participating in the fiery siege of the rebellious city of Hopelessness, Raistlin must forget the naive dreams of his youth, saving himself and his brother from mortal danger. Meanwhile, in the depths of the caves, dragons awaken, Kitiara Ut-Matar, the twins' sister, makes her dark choice - and the new Dragon Lord begins his ascent to power...