Aztael is forced to hide from empire troops in the lower spin when he discovers a dragon egg, which hatches for him. Apparantly it had been hidden by a desperate rider near the end of the fight against Galbatorix. Now Aztael finds himself in a difficult situation, but he has three things on his side. Firstly he has a newly hatched Dragon, secondly he is a formidable swordsman, and thirdly he happens to be one of the most cunning and brilliant tacticians in the world.

Galbatroix would have his work cut trying to find the pair, except he has no idea they even exist. Still, hard times are ahead for the young Dragon and rider, and they will need their wits about them to escape. Aztael intends to escape back to the Varden, but plans to leave a hell of a mess behind him as he does so...