Darek is envious when his older brother, Clep, returns from a quest wearing dragon claws for a necklace. His brother has killed a Great Blue, the largest and most feared of all dragons. The next day the village will hold a great celebration, and Clep will be the guest of honor. Unable to sleep that night, Darek sneaks outside. He hears something whimpering and realizes that the slain dragon has left behind a newborn dragonling that nobody noticed. Calling on all his courage, Darek decides to return the dragonling to its home--a terrifying valley filled with dozens of deadly beasts.