Kingdoms will stand or fall on the beat of a dragon"s wings, or a Fool"s heart. Prince Dutiful has been charged with a quest to the Outislands to take the head of the black dragon Icefyre. Only then will his betrothed marry him and cement the alliance between their warring kingdoms. But is Icefyre just a legend? Or does he truly slumber beneath the glaciers? Fitz has prevented his friend the Fool from accompanying them: the Fool has foreseen his own death if he ever sets foot on the isle of the black dragon. But as their ship draws in towards Aslevjal a lone figure awaits them...