A fantasy tale on a man who carves a dragon out of stone with which to defend his kingdom from enemies. The novel is the last installment in a trilogy which began with Royal Assassin.

Duncan Idaho follows a beacon to escape the hunt; Baron Harkonnen and the Reverend Mother make an agreement; Padot Kynes helps some Fremen and visits one of their sietches; Leto explores Ix and overhears a dangerous secret.