On the beautiful planet Pern, land holders and craftsmen have traditionally tithed food and supplies to the dragonweyrs, their only protection from the dreaded, life-threatening thread. But it has been over 400 years since the last threadfall, and some people have come to doubt that the menace will ever strike again.
Determined not to be pushed into marrying a boring and proper prince, Princess Cimerone flees her kingdom and becomes an assistant to the dragon Kazul.