The greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea was once a reckless youth, hungry for power and knowledge, who tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

Clay has lived his whole life under the mountain. The MudWing dragonet knows war is raging between the dragon tribes in the world outside -- a war that he and four other dragonets are destined to end, according to the mysterious prophecy they have been taught. The five "chosen" dragonets were stolen from their homes while they were still in their eggs -- and hidden away for years -- all to fulfill the prophecy. But not every dragonet wants a destiny....