Haplo, Grundle, Alake and Devon escape from their ship as it starts breaking apart, and wash up on the shore of Draknor, the seamoon where the dragon snakes live. They are again struck with unnatural terror in the presence of the dragon snakes. The dragon-snakes greet Haplo as their Master, try to reassure the mensch, and tell Haplo their version of the history of Chelestra. They tell Haplo that the Patryns created them. They are also very afraid of Alfred, whom they call the Serpent Mage. They want the mensch to help them fight against the Sartan.