Utah is sent to town to meet the newest apprentice on the Three Bar W Ranch, his brother. When the boy arrives on the stage, Miss Thompson takes the opportunity to confront Utah about the dreams she continues to have of the golden city. He is distracted by his biggest problem, the basilisk, who stalks the edge of Antelope Gap remembering the havoc he caused during the winter raid.
The need for vengeance grows unbearable. Utah and the basilisk leave the Three Bar W to hunt the Svaltvar. Their boldness grows and they make forays inside El Dorado. Utah escapes alive, barely. Indebted to the creature, he vows to take the basilisk home. But the consequences of his actions lead to the abduction of Miss Thompson. He is left with the impossible task of returning the woman and the creature to their respective homes.