The winged ones live in their Weyrs and fly high above the earth. They do not know about many problems of ordinary perinitis or find out very late. Meanwhile, the Northern Continent is crowded with people. The bravest of them are transported to the Southern Continent and begin a new life, but most simply sink to the very bottom. And some fall under the arm of the Lady of the Homeless - and bandits appear on Pern, which knows neither prisons nor executions. The Winged Ones will not soon notice them, passionate about excavations on the Southern continent - because they are about to get closer to the secrets of their ancestors. And when they notice, will they intervene?..