A Quick Review of The Drakdare Chronicles from the Beginning
This synopsis is to help you remember the story line. To begin reading the series from the first chapter scroll down to Chapter One.
Chapter 1: The Legend of the Drakdare
We are introduced to Granye who tells us about life in the hearth. The hearth calls a convocation to discuss their concern about the arrival of dragons in the valley. A party is appointed to visit Solis, a strange loner who lives in a black grange because she scrawled “Befriend your enemies” on the side of her house. Astiah, Granye’s closest friend, join Sharna, the hearth busybody, and two sisters for the visit. Solis tells them the true legend of the Drakdare. Solis encourages the party to go in search of a secretive sect of dragon observers called the Drakdarekam.
Chapter 2: The Return of the Wanderers
We are introduced to Astiah. She describes the structure of hearth society. Through her eyes we see the preparation for the Annual Return when the men who have been on a long trek return to the hearth with stories and exotic provisions. Astiah has a premonition that the dragons will destroy the hearth. Astiah encourages Granye to begin the search for the Drakdarekam, as Solis suggested.
Chapter 3: An Unwelcome Guest at the Feast of the Return
We are introduced to Solis, who tells the myth of the Wandering Moon and the Hearth Moon. She relates her experience as a young Drakdare battling with Svaart, a deadly fire-breathing dragon, who she has sensed is nearby. Solis deliberates as she knows she must encourage the hearth minders to act before it is too late. She pleads her case to the men and the women at the feast of the return. She announces that she has selected Granye, Astiah, Taiye, Mixa, and Sharna to join her in the search for the Drakdarekam. Granye declines but is interrupted by Svaart who abducts Hanasorsha, one of the youngest children from Astiah’s hearth.
Chapter 4: The Morning after the Feast
Granye continues the story, telling us that her son Fengranye clung to the dragon in an attempt to save Hanasorsha. Granye and Astiah are now united in the desire to find the dragon and the hope that their children are still alive. Granye visits Solis and learns more about her mysterious history. We meet Blix, Fengranye’s father and Granye’s longtime lover, despite the fact that hearth culture doesn’t include marriage or monogamy.
Chapter 5: The Journey Begins
We are introduced to Sharna who has a powerful gift of mind transmission. The party departs the hearth under Solis’s direction. Sharna attempts to contact the Hearth Keeper in the horse hearth using mind transmission. Solis wants to get horses to speed their journey. Sharna senses someone following the party and fears they are being hunted. She awakens in the night and communes with the trees. As she returns to camp, she is attacked.
Chapter 6: An Intruder in the Camp
Astiah continues the story as her son Sarvastiah bursts into the camp carrying Sharna who has been attacked by a jaguar. She discovers he has been secretly tracking the party despite her insistence that he is too young to be on the road. They treat Sharna and navigate crossing the river. They cross through the dangerous Darkken Woods. Astiah wakes in the morning to see a herd of horses on the plains, the first sign that they are closing on their destination; the horse hearth.
Chapter 7: Arrival at the Horse Hearth
Sharna narrates as the tired travelers enter the horse hearth. They are greeted by a herd of horses entering the hearth. They learn quickly that life in the horse hearth is very different from their home. They are treated to a feast. Sharna sleeps uneasily and tries to find the children using her gift of mind travel. She discovers that Fengranye and Hanasorsha are alive in a cave in the East Mountains.
Chapter 8: The Danger is Revealed
Granye narrates as Solis escorts her to a secret cave with that reveals ancient history. The travelers learn to ride horses. Granye contemplates an uncomfortable future.
Chapter 9: Departing from the Horse Hearth
Solis narrates as they prepare to depart from the Horse Hearth. Taiye falls ill and the party is split up. Solis makes difficult decisions doubts herself and her leadership.