“Good,” Neil says. “Keep going.”
I sidestep Lyssa’s attack as she swings her wooden longsword at me. Gripping the staff in my hands hard, I drive it into the ground, propelling myself back even farther in case of a followup attack. But it’s not necessary—after so many hours of practice, I’m realizing just how much faster than Lyssa I am as a bonded. I circle around Lyssa, picking up speed.
“You’re doing great!” Astralux says from where she lays nearby. Finally out of the throes of the Spotted Fever, Astralux is still a little weak but at least well enough to leave our room and lay outside in the sunshine. She’s managing short flights now. Eclair and Giftigbun remain near her, perhaps both to make sure she’s okay and to make sure she continues to rest.
“Remember, Estelle.” Neil’s watching me very intently. “At some point, you have to make a move.”
I remind myself that if I were facing a Vladykar, this evasion and running in circles wouldn’t work. Steeling myself for the battle I would have to fight, I abruptly turn and swing the staff at Lyssa’s legs. She’s just quick enough to jump—and I spin the staff the other way, catching her across her side and slamming her back into the ground, pinning her down.
“Oof!” Lyssa says.
I immediately back off. “Are you alright?”
Lyssa laughs. “Estelle! That was brilliant!”
Blythe claps. “Great job Estelle!”
I hold out my hand and help Lyssa to her feet, checking her over for wounds. “Any tips?”
“Just more of the same,” Lyssa says.
“Yep.” Neil chuckles. “At some point we’ll have to work on refining kill techniques, but that can wait.”
I withhold a shudder and make myself nod—I’m slowly getting used to the idea, because having met two Vladykar bonded pairs and an unbonded Vladykar dragon, I understand that this is going to be a necessity. I still don’t like it, and glance out at the mountains beyond to give myself something peaceful to look at.
Lyssa throws her arm around her my shoulder. “Look at you! You didn’t even flinch this time. You’re getting there.”
“What are you talking about ‘getting there’? I’m a hardened warrior!” I smile as the others laugh.
Lyssa suddenly cringes, limping on her left foot. “Ow, ow.”
I grab Lyssa around her waist, half-lifting her off the ground. “Oh my gosh, Lyssa? What’s wrong? I’m so sorry, lie down, what—”
Lyssa’s face, twisted as if in pain, suddenly spreads into a grin. “Hardened warrior, huh?”
I purse my lips and squint my eyes as Lyssa, and everyone else around us, laughs. “Oh ha ha.”
“She got you pretty good!” Neil says in-between chuckles.
Grinning, I shake my head. “So what’s next?”
“Next, you should go freshen up and then come back to the entranceway of the palace,” Neil says. “We’ve got some things to discuss.”
Surprised, I nod. “Okay. Astralux, do you want to go back to the room to rest?”
“I’m actually going to stay outside.” Astralux’s tail taps on the grassy ground, warming my heart—it’s good to see her back to her old self. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
Something in her tone, or the sparkle in her dark blue eyes, catches me off-guard. She sounds like she’s hinting at something, but I don’t know what. I spot Blythe and Lyssa sharing a grin but then they quickly look away from me.
What’s going on?
“I’ll see you soon,” Neil says. “Go on, Estelle.”
I wave at the others and pat Astralux on the nose before heading back to my room. My brain tries to pinpoint what they’re hiding, but I can’t think of anything. Veremund had mentioned a meeting this afternoon. Yet what about diplomatic matters or the war would be a reason to hide something?
Shrugging my shoulders at my own thoughts, I head back to my room. Washing my face in the basin, I switch out my dusty pants for a pair of soft blue cloth pants, and my tan cloth short-sleeved shirt for a flowing white cloth shirt with a couple of small blue flower embroideries at the bottom that Veremund’s wife, Eutychei, had gifted me. Based on Neil’s comment to “freshen up,” I figure he means we’ll be meeting up with the others and I should look presentable. But, just in case I do end up practicing, I stick with pants.
Heading out of my room, I’m surprised to see not Neil, but Veremund, standing at the ground floor, in the middle of the room, dressed in a white tunic over a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, the Wards’ emblem on his back. His pants are a dark slate-purple, and like the white tunic trimmed in gold and silver designs. Worried that something’s wrong, I hurry down the spiral steps.
“Veremund?” Reaching the last few steps, I rush toward him. “What’s going on?”
Veremund chuckles, much to my surprise. “Nothing. But I suppose you haven’t seen our dress uniforms, have you?”
“No.” I peer over his outfit, now picking out yet more designs, like the intricate gold and silver swirls on his sleeves, and along the edges of the white tunic. “What’s a dress uniform?”
Veremund offers his arm to me, guiding me toward the entrance doors. “The Wards wear these on special occasions.”
“Oh. What’s the special occasion?” I ask.
Smiling, Veremund pushes open one of the doors and walks me out. I come to a stop, staring.
It looks like the Wards, the trainees, and every citizen of Adytol is waiting outside the Wards’ Palace. In the center of them all is Astralux, standing tall, the very tip of her tail tapping on the ground.
“You are,” Veremund says. “Congratulations, Estelle and Astralux, the newest and reestablished members of the Wards.”
Everyone within sight breaks into applause and cheering. Embarrassed, I go to Astralux at Veremund’s gesture, and hug her tightly.
“Is this what you were hiding from me?” I ask.
Astralux grins. “Surprise!”
“There didn’t need to be this many people,” I whisper. When the other Wards approach, I turn to them. “No one needed to do this.”
“Needed to do this? Ha!” Neil shakes his head. “We love celebrating new Wards!”
“The ceremony is going to be a little different since you’re already bonded,” Veremund says. “It was one of the reasons we decided to surprise you. But you’ll still give the oath as an official part of becoming a Ward. Follow me.”
I keep my hand on Astralux and walk alongside her after Veremund, who heads to where Kalteratem is sitting poised, not far from the lake. Veremund goes to stand at the feet of Kalteratem, making him look incredibly tiny. The Wards and the citizens of Adytol stand back a number of steps, creating a semi-circle around us facing Veremund and Kalteratem. I glance up at Astralux, who gives me a broad smile.
Kalteratem lifts his head, looking out across the crowds around, humans and dragons alike. “Thank you all for joining us as we celebrate the bond of Estelle Brand of Amenyl, and Astraluxtristis.”
“Wait, what?” I whisper to Astralux. “Astraluxtristis?”
Astralux gives me a small, sad smile. “That’s my full name. I’ll tell you more about dragon names later.”
“Though this ceremony will be a little different as they’re already bonded,” Kalteratem continues, “we nonetheless wished to officially announce them as Wards. Estelle, Astralux, if you would repeat after us.”
I put my hand back on Astralux’s shoulder.
“By Ariadna’s guiding star,” Kalteratem says,
“By Ariadna’s guiding star,” I say with Astralux, “I, Estelle Brand—”
“—I, Astraluxtristis—do solemnly swear to uphold my bonded human—Estelle—”
“—do solemnly swear to uphold my bonded dragon—Astralux—to support her and protect her, and to be her light in the darkness.” My heart swells with hope and joy and pride as we give our oath. “I promise that together we will fight against Anieros’ hand, wherever he reaches, and defend the helpless and the innocent. We will not turn away those that seek protection, but deliver them from the evil of Anieros and all who follow him. We will fly strong in Ariadna. This, we swear.” Astralux turns and nuzzles my shoulder, and I stroke her head.
Kalteratem lifts his head. “It is official: please welcome and celebrate with us our newest Ward members, Estelle and Astralux.”
The crowds around us applaud, the dragons roaring, and I grin as Astralux wriggles excitedly. I yelp as she licks my face, and I wrap my arms around her head, giving her a hug.
“Thanks, Estelle,” Astralux whispers. “You are the joy my heart needed.”
“And you saved me from a terrible fate,” I whisper back. “Let’s do the same for others.”
The Wards and their dragons surround us, and I can’t help smiling bashfully as they shake my hand and hug me.
“I was really worried, when you first came to Adytol.” Volkan flicks aside a lock of his red-orange hair and pats me on the back heartily, grinning. “But you went and proved me wrong. Thank Ariadna!”
Mortimer hugs me. “You have done a stellar job since I met you. And, you are the absolute nicest person I know.”
“Aw, thanks Mortimer,” I say. “But you’ve been really kind to me. I appreciate it.”
“We appreciate you!” Neil leans down and gives me a big hug that lifts me up off my feet. “You’ve been a light to us all.”
Vitegadium, wriggling back and forth excitedly, sneaks his head in and nudges my shoulder. “Congratulations, Estelle! I’m so excited you’re here!”
“Thanks!” I hug the dragon.
“Thorn?” Vitegadium turns his head and nudges Thorn forward. “Go on.”
“Congratulations,” Thorn says. He gives me a surprisingly warm smile. “You’ve surprised me several times over, and in the best way possible. Thanks for all you’ve done.”
“Oh, you’re welcome. And thank you—I’m still grateful that you and Vitegadium showed up to help us out,” I say.
“If you ever need anything, just let me know,” Thorn says.
Taken off guard by Thorn’s sudden friendliness, he steps back before I can say anything more. And my heart flutters as in his place Amon walks up to me, giving me his small, handsome smile.
“Well,” Amon says, “it looks like you have joined the cause against the Vladykars after all.”
I smile. “I have joined the cause for Ariadna.”
“Ever seeking the highest and purest ideal.” Amon takes my hand and kisses it. “You are most admirable, Estelle.”
I blush, unable to say anything in response. The Ward bows his head and then steps back to let others near. Blythe comes running up in Amon’s place, skipping, Eclair mimicking him with bounding leaps toward Astralux. Lyssa follows after Blythe at a much calmer pace.
“You’re a real Ward now!” Blythe says. “I always knew you would be. Congratulations!”
Lyssa crosses her arms, smiling. “You of all people deserve the honor and title of Ward.”
“Thank you,” I say to them both. “And thank you for the extra training sessions, Lyssa. I hope this doesn’t mean our sessions are over?”
Lyssa shares a grin with Neil. “Oh goodness no.”
“If anything, it means your training is about to get tougher,” Neil says. “Well, at least, after your mission.”
Mortimer chuckles. “A brand new Ward, and you already have your first mission.”
I smile. “I’m happy to help.”
“We know you are!” Head Nurse Jaye squeezes in-between the people and gives me a big hug. “You wanted to help out as soon as you could get your feet under you. I’m thrilled that you’re a Ward, Estelle. For real this time.”
“I’d be a goner without you.” Henry has managed to get through the crowd waiting to greet us, and he shakes my hand heartily, tears in his eyes, before giving me a hug. “Me and my family thank Ariadna for you and the other Wards every day.”
“Thank you.” Embarrassed, I glance back to see Astralux talking—via a series of growls—with the other dragons, her tail tapping excitedly against the cobblestone. “I guess we are Wards for real now.”
Volkan gives a snort. “A new Ward, already have your first mission, and you’ve already taken on several Vladykars. Amazing.”
“I didn’t take on any Vladykars,” I say.
“Pretty sure burning off Velenosever’s tail counts,” Thorn drawls.
Music starts at a quick tempo, people cheering at the sound. Veremund puts an arm around me and ushers me toward Astralux. “You two should take a quick fly around Adytol,” he whispers. “It’s customary to have a few moments to yourself before continuing in the party.”
“Thanks,” I say. I duck through the crowd and reach Astralux, patting her on the neck. “Hey there.”
“Oh, time for your flight, eh?” Giftigbun nods at us. “On with you—we’ll congratulate you on your return.”
“We’ll be back.” Astralux waits for me to mount the saddle on her back and then takes off with a bound. She pants as she flaps her wings.
“Are you up for this?” I ask.
“Oh yes. It’s just a short flight anyhow.” Reaching altitude, Astralux takes a large circle around Adytol.
I stare down at the people and dragons below, groups of people beginning to dance, food being brought out, the music audible from where we are in the air. “I guess this is really happening.”
“What, you fighting against the Vladykars?” Astralux asks teasingly.
“No. I just made Adytol my home.”
Astralux pauses, holding her wings out to coast for a bit, and she peers back at me with one large dark blue eye. “I didn’t even think about that. I’m sorry, Estelle.”
I lean down against Astralux, hugging the base of her neck. “I miss my Mom. I miss the people of Inizion. But I’m not sorry to make Adytol my home.”
Astralux growls low in her throat—I think in imitation of a purr, perhaps. It sounds happy to me. “You’ve made Adytol feel like home again to me. And my family lives here!”
“Thanks for rescuing me, Astralux.”
“Thanks for rescuing me.” Astralux takes a big gulp of air. “Alright, it’s time for rest and food. That’s all I got.”
“Sure thing, let’s head back down, I don’t want you to wear yourself out,” I say.
Astralux glances back at me with a grin. “You just want to dance with Amon.” She laughs as my cheeks heat up, and leisurely circles back down to the party going on below us.
Tamara Rivers 
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