“Amsel! Come quickly. I have been drugged and kidnapped by the Duke of Darkness. I’m somewhere deep in the Southland. My life is in jeopardy. Only you and your friend Hawkwind can save me.” The message reached Amsel through the Dragonpearl, which can tell of the past and even predict the future.

After reading the plea, Amsel saw strange images in the pearl’s misty chambers. He witnessed Tasran the tailor, the Duke of Darkness, Thalos the Armorer, and Prince Alyn. He could not tell who they were or what the images meant.

He then began to write in his diary, hoping to organize recent events. He described how his life had changed and how he, Hawkwind, and the Last Dragon had become friends through a collective effort during a crisis.

He recalled how a young friend borrowed his Flying Wing, was attacked by a coldrake, and died, leading to suspicion between Fandora and Simbala. Amsel sailed to Simbala, befriended Hawkwind, and learned that the coldrakes had attacked children in both countries. Together they decided they had to find the Last Dragon, who was said to be alive in the Northland and able to command the coldrakes.