The Ninth Passage is getting closer and closer to the end, but the planet has not become any more boring: the Purifiers have become more active, Lord Toric is tirelessly weaving his intrigues, even the elements have gone wild, and to top off the misfortunes, a huge comet has fallen on the Perinites. Nevertheless, the Ninth Passage is the last in the history of inhabited Pern. And this means that six thousand two hundred and forty dragons - and, of course, their riders - will soon be left... Out of work? The dragons themselves don't think so...