Chapter 1 Summary

Piemur, the young apprentice at Harper Hall on the planet of Pern awakes to hear the beat of drums. Piemur has not yet grown used to the drums but hopes he soon will. He falls back to sleep thinking of being able to leave the Hall and find fire lizard eggs and perhaps be allowed to keep one. He startles awake again as he hears the hungry screech of Rocky, one of the fire lizards he is responsible for feeding. Piemur and Menolly meet in the kitchen. Piemur takes Rocky and Mimic on his shoulders as he feeds them scraps of meat. Likewise Beauty encircles Menolly's shoulders as she feeds her fire lizard.

After they feed the lizards, Menolly and Piemur join the chorus class that is rehearsing for the spring feast. The musical is about Lessa and her golden queen dragon, Ramoth...