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Ariadna, help me. I was expecting to meet a Vladykar, maybe two, down here in the lower levels of the Malum Palace. Perhaps even some trainees.

But I did not expect Vladykar Malyncor, the leader of the Vladykars, to be here.

And now he stands across this small room from me, with Vladykar Lochan at his side. Vladykar Malyncor’s eerie, solid black eyes bore into me, and I tremble as I lean against the stone doors behind me, clinging to Ariadna’s Star in my hands. I can faintly feel Astralux’s worry. Mostly I’m just filling up our bond with fear.

(more…)

My heart thuds so hard I’m certain that Astralux can hear it at the top of the spiral stairs. It certainly wants to go to her the more that we separate, and I rub the outside of my leather armor over my chest. The anxiety alone is suffocating, nor does the gloomy darkness help, as I walk down into the depths of the Malum Palace.

Still, I do see some light below, and it gives me the courage to continue down. I keep one hand on the shortsword sheathed at my side, though I debate drawing it now. But I’m more likely to hurt myself than be effective, given my nervousness. And, I haven’t seen a soul inside the Malum Palace.

(more…)

Despite my anxiety, we have no trouble at all as we fly northwest into Klevor, following a wide, slow river that winds through the forested region. A few hills and small mountains break up an otherwise flat terrain. Even still, Vitegadium is quiet for once, and all four of us stare ahead as the sun rises behind us. Perhaps we’re expecting to see dragons springing out at us at any point. I’m not sure, but I cling to the saddle horn with one hand, my other hand on the strap that holds my shield to my back.

“Vitegadium,” Astralux calls over the wind. “We should probably start separating now.”

(more…)

Chapter 9: The Light Inside

While I’ve been around the Wards for several months now, even I’m not ready for the sight of us—all six of us, plus Prince Philander and Oneiro—flying towards Remyssus. And these are my allies!

Despite the fact that Kalteratem is able to fly faster than all of our dragons, he takes our flight at an easy pace, flying beside Oneiro. With this many dragons, it isn’t possible to talk. The rushing of wind is too noisy. But in a way, the quiet is needed—I spend our two days of travel enjoying the warm sunshine on me, looking down at Amenyl passing underneath, dreading our next trip.

(more…)

As we sit at the stone table in the Sun Room, Veremund catches my eye and glances at the seat next to Prince Philander. Perhaps he wants to give the prince a familiar face, since Thorn and I handled the diplomacy last time. Regardless, I nod once and take the seat next to Prince Philander.

The Prince of Amenyl, for his part, is looking around with intrigue. “We did not get much of a chance to speak with Ward Estelle and Ward Thorn of your abode. The craftsmanship in here is spectacular.”

“Thank you.” Veremund reaches out, picking up one of the insulated metal pitchers of coffee remaining from breakfast. “You must have journeyed all night.”

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Chapter 8: A Call of Hope

I debate my words all the way until and through breakfast with the Wards the next morning. There’s a strange stillness over us, as if the same thing is on our minds but no one wants to broach the topic. At last, however, Volkan sets down his porcelain cup of coffee with a sigh.

“Tikokaftos and I…we’re willing to go,” Volkan says, his voice quiet. “But I don’t know that we’re the best option. Not for a stealth mission.” His face twists, as if this was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do in his life. “I’m sorry.”

Veremund nods. “Thank you, Volkan and Tikokaftos, for recognizing this. It isn’t cowardly to admit to where your strengths don’t lie.”

Afraid that Thorn is going to volunteer, as he looks at Vitegadium, I clear my throat. “I should go,” I say.

The Wards stare at me.

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“We need to get Ariadna’s Star back!” Volkan slams his fist onto the stone table where the Wards sit. “Now!”

“At ease, Volkan,” Veremund says. “We aren’t in disagreement about that.”

His golden hazel eyes alight with rage, Volkan’s furrowed brow lowers even more. “At ease? We’ve lost so much to the Vladykars! I don’t understand why we aren’t bearing down on them this very instance.”

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Despite the wounds sustained from the fight with the bloodwyrms, Blythe and Eclair are the only ones still resting by the next day. Astralux, Lyssa, and the others are all eager to show Voxebellum around Adytol, Kalteratem gliding beside Voxebellum in the air while Giftigbun and Astralux trail just behind.

“As you can see, Adytol is a large city, but that is the entirety of Adytol,” Veremund says.

Voxebellum’s copper eyes peer down. “It’s a massive city though! There’s nothing this big on Serpens. It’s mostly tribal communities, and the few ‘cities’ there are would be like hamlets compared to this.”

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My heart leaps up into my throat as Astralux races through the forest, the sleek red-black bloodwyrms partly crawling behind us, partly using their thin, spindly arms to latch onto the tree branches and propel themselves at us. Ahead, I can just make out Giftigbun with Neil and Lyssa, the yellow-green dragon sprinting toward where we can hear Silexamani yelping, and Eclair and Blythe shouting for help.

Just as I spot the dark gray scales of Silexamani, Giftigbun lunges forward with a snarl. He lands beside his mate, his massive claws swiping at a bloodwyrm attached to Silexamani’s front left leg. Two of its worm-ish arms release Silexamani—leaving a line of wounds where it was attached—and shoot out for Giftigbun’s face. Growling, he reaches out and bites the arms, and the bloodwyrm shrieks.

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The trolls’ rotting meat stench worsens as Giftigbun and Silexamani roar again and dive down. Shrieking in terror, the trolls drop their crude wooden weapons and ropes, fleeing in every direction away from where Eclair and Blythe lie. While Giftigbun and Silexamani chase the trolls off, Astralux lands, taking a couple of extra steps with the added weight of Lyssa. I jump off, gagging as my nose takes in the even-worse-smell of the yellow-green troll pus, which is everywhere.

“Oh Ariadna above, the smell!” Lyssa groans and pulls her shirt over her nose. “And you’re bonded! How have you not thrown up? It’s all I want to do right now.”

“I did the first time.” Giving a half-smile, half-grimace, I force my legs to go straight into the worst of it, where Blythe and Eclair are still lying.

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