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After recounting all that had transpired during our trip to Remyssus and then to acquire Ariadna’s Star, Thorn and I receive a round of applause by the other Wards.

“Well done, both of you!” Neil pats Thorn on the back, rather firmly, and grins. “Fighting off Vladykars left and right.”

I snort. “More like strategically evading.”

Astralux, who’s chowing down on a massive bowlful of assorted grilled meats and scrambled eggs, shakes her head. “You were definitely fighting at Riverton. Didn’t you fire a bolt into Raucharger?”

I shrug, but Mortimer, grinning, pats my shoulder.

(more…)

Ariadna be praised, Kalteratem and Veremund are here!

For the first time ever, I see fear—true fear—on the faces of many of the Vladykars. Eyes wide, they retreat as Kalteratem roars angrily. Veremund is poised on Kalteratem’s back, both of them in the Dragon Armor from their aeon bond, the glittering Dragon Weapon halberd in Veremund’s hands, glass-like wings upon his back.

And as if that weren’t enough, flying alongside him is Mortimer and Undabouclier, Volkan and Tikokaftos, and Thorn and Vitegadium!

“Grab Ward Estelle and the Star!” Vladykar Eder shouts. “We’re leaving!”

(more…)

“Ariadna be praised,” Astralux says again.

I nod. I can hardly breathe. We stare into the brilliant white light of Ariadna’s Star, the eight-point diamond-looking star lying on a rock jutting out like a pedestal in the center of the cavern we’ve entered, just a couple of meters from where we stand. Its warm glow plumes over us continuously.

“What should we do?” Astralux asks after another minute. “We can’t wait here forever.”

(more…)

“Eder, what of the two Ward pairs?” one of the Vladykar humans asks—and by his voice, I recognize it as Vladykar Jarogniew. He healed up well, as did his dragon Raucharger, faint white lines in-between his smoky dark gray scales the only remnants of our battle days ago. Vladykar Vaimiti and her dragon Salannagro, who fly nearby, look to have recovered as well. “Where are they?”

“Hidden, but not far,” Vladykar Eder says. I get the impression that he’s the highest ranking Vladykar of the present riders, given the way the other five Vladykar pairs hover around him and Velenosever respectfully. “We decided against pursuing in tight quarters, and instead came to lend support here. What news do you have? Any progress, Azar?”

(more…)

Astralux digs her claws into the forest moss-covered ground, tearing up shrubs and dead leaves as she dodges behind a tree to avoid the black-vaned bolt from Vladykar Lochan’s crossbow. Vitegadium paws at the ground slower, more tired than Astralux. Vladykar Eder’s bolt slices open a small cut on his right rear leg, and Vitegadium stumbles, Thorn hissing in shared pain.

I hurriedly pat Astralux’s shoulder. “Breathe at them!”

Astralux arches her neck and fires a blast of bright white light at Pesokvglazu’s face. Vladykar Lochan spots it and turns his head, but his dragon isn’t fast enough and gives a yelp as the light splashes over his face and lingers on his head. When Astralux turns to breathe at Velenosever, however, the dragon is ready, shielding his face with his wing as Astralux’s light washes over it. He barrels down on us, claws outstretched.

(more…)

Chapter 6: The Arrival of Ariadna’s Star

It doesn’t matter that it’s night—Thorn and I rush to clean up our camp, packing our supplies, while Astralux and Vitegadium gulp down as much water as they can stand from the stream nearby.

“What do you mean, Ariadna’s Star has come to Zoi?” I ask.

“You don’t see the grand beacon of light?!” Thorn asks dryly.

“I see it, but what does this mean?” I roll up my burnt sleeping bag and tie it to Astralux’s saddle. “You sound like you know what’s going on.”

“Have you never heard the story of Ariadna’s Star?” Astralux asks.

(more…)

“And thus after aiding our mysterious ally with his wound,” I explain to King Mahlir, “he and his dragon left.”

King Mahlir sits upon his throne, he and his four generals (and in fact, everyone in the court) staring at us with wide eyes. The only one who doesn’t look as astounded is Prince Philander—he sits upon his throne beside his father, looking regal, even with his bandaged arm carefully propped up on the arm rest, hidden under his royal purple overcoat. I know one good pat on his shoulder and someone would realize how badly wounded he is. But then again, who is going to so leisurely pat the Prince of Amenyl on the shoulder?

“And you have no idea who this bonded rider and dragon are?” General Norman asks.

(more…)

I struggle in Raucharger’s claws, but they hold fast. My heart is thudding my chest as the new dragon and rider near us.

“What’s this?” Vladykar Jarogniew, still clinging to Astralux’s back as Raucharger keeps a hold of her, squints east, peering at the newcomers. “More Wards?”

Surprised, as I thought for sure that it would be more Vladykars, I feel my stomach flip-flop as I suddenly recognize the pale reddish-golden scales of the dragon, and the wolf-head of the rider:

It’s Prince Philander and his dragon.

(more…)

Thorn lifts the Verlassen banner, waving it in the air, and a tentative, confused cheer starts up from Riverton. Clearly, they aren’t sure what to make of two dragon riders that bear the Verlassen banner.

The Klevorian soldiers, however, seem less surprised and more anxious, and I hear the tumultuous shouting increase from their area.

“Hang on!” Astralux shouts.

(more…)

Staring in Prince Philander’s dark gray-purple eyes, his hand still outstretched to me, I swallow. I can feel the tension palpable all around me, everyone leaning close to see whether or not I accept Prince Philander’s offer of marriage and further secure the alliance between the Wards and Amenyl.

But I can’t. And I decide that the best thing to do is to be honest. It’s what Ariadna would want.

“I’m greatly honored by your request,” I say. “Thank you, your majesty. However, my heart is set on another man, and his on mine.” I pull out the ruby pendant Amon had given me, setting it atop my Wards uniform. “He has gifted me a betrothal promise.”

(more…)