In the sky, high above the tops of inaccessible mountain peaks, live the young and powerful people of the Duardin. They have developed new technologies, forged their own weapons of war, and now roam the skies in aircraft in search of riches and glorious trophies. Brockrin Ulisson, captain of the Iron Dragon, has a reputation for being a sky-sailor with a history of failure. There is almost no time left to make fortune smile: in this state of affairs, he will soon lose both his ship and his livelihood. When a team of duardin discovers a deposit of aether gold more valuable and purer than this world has ever seen, they are overcome by a temptation they cannot resist. The Duardin covet wealth above all else, and will not be deterred by any danger. But when Brockrin realizes how high the price for aether gold really is, will he have time to save the ship, the crew and himself, or will it be too late?