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.
“I lost the Star.” My vision starts to blur and I blink hurriedly. “And the Star calls to Astralux and I still. We have to go. Besides, Astralux, while having bright scales, would be really skilled for this kind of mission. If anyone can get in and out of a bad situation, she can.”
“Yet the goal is to make it out together,” Neil says.
“I feel like your fire magic would be really useful for the frontline of battle,” Volkan says.
I nod, forcing myself not to react to such a thought. “I’m not saying this like a mandate. I just feel like we should go. I’m the smallest one here, so if there are any tight places, I’ll have an easier time getting around.”
“This is true,” Mortimer whispers.
Veremund continues to stare from me to Astralux.
“You can’t go,” Thorn says. I turn to my right to find him glaring at me. “You are literally walking into the hands of the Vladykars, who have wanted you from the start.”
I can’t stop the shudder that runs through me, and I see Astralux reciprocate, perhaps sensing my rush of horror. “At least they aren’t as likely to kill me?” I offer quietly, my throat tight.
Mortimer gags. “Ariadna, no,” Neil whispers.
“Vite and I already decided we’re going,” Thorn says, his tone firmer. “Vite’s not the best at stealth.” The emerald green dragon gives a sheepish grin. “But, he isn’t bad at it, and if he can get me close enough, I can get the rest of the way in.”
Veremund, whose dark skin has paled considerably, looks from Thorn to me and back to Thorn.
“We can’t send two bonded,” Veremund says at last. “We need as many to draw them out as possible.”
“What if one of us went to actually retrieve the Star, while the other went to ‘pretend’ to retrieve the Star?” I wonder aloud. “The Vladykars have to expect us to try.”
Thorn’s furrowed brow slowly lessens. “That’s true.”
“What, you mean like all four of you go?” Neil asks. “But one pair of you get ‘found?’”
I nod. “Carefully, of course. But they have to know that we’re seeking the Star. So if they find one pair of us sneaking toward it, that will confirm their suspicions and they should stop being concerned that another is trying, at least immediately.”
“But to be found…depending on who remains behind, that will require some swift speed and tactical maneuvers,” Veremund says.
I look at Astralux. “I think I know the dragon for that,” I say. Astralux grins proudly.
“That’s something Giftigbun and I could do,” Neil points out.
“But wouldn’t they just think it’s a trick with you?” Volkan asks.
“Possibly.” Neil tugs once at his blonde beard, tied together with metal rings. “Still, I think this idea might be worthwhile.”
“It solves one issue, which is the concern of sending one bonded pair off into Klevor by themselves,” Mortimer says.
“But where would the decoy pair go?” Giftigbun asks. “What’s their rendezvous point?”
“That could be determined as they get closer.” Veremund sighs and rubs his forehead. “What I don’t like about it is that we’re sending two bonded pairs into Klevor now.” His light blue eyes look at me then at Thorn. “Based on what you’ve said, Thorn, you and Vitegadium would sneak into Malum Palace, and then Estelle, you and Astralux would be the decoys?”
I look at Thorn, who slowly nods. “I don’t know that I like that much better than you sneaking in,” he says to me. “But I can’t deny that Astralux would be much better at flying away than us. And, with your magic, I feel like the two of you would do better in that role.”
Vitegadium nods, as does Astralux. “Astralux is fast,” Vitegadium says. I feel Astralux’s pride, and smile a little.
Kalteratem sighs. He growls, as if speaking in the dragon’s language, and Astralux’s emotions suddenly swing toward sorrow. She responds with a growl that sounds like reassurance to me.
“Alright.” Veremund runs a hand over his graying black hair. “Unless anyone else has any ideas, I think this is our best option. Estelle and Thorn will attempt to retrieve the Star, with Estelle and Astralux acting as a decoy to lead any Vladykars away from the Malum Palace to enable Thorn and Vitegadium to sneak into the Malum Palace, while the rest of us will make a stand against Klevor, hoping to draw as many Vladykars away as possible.”
“Should Estelle and Thorn come with us to the battlefront,” Neil says, “so as to try and draw more of the Vladykars out?”
“Actually, I vote that they remain here.” Mortimer glances past the dragons out of the Sun Room. “We’re leaving Adytol unprotected. I could see the Vladykars use this to their advantage.”
“Agreed,” Veremund says. “Although we want as many of the Vladykars out on the field as we can get, I would hate to leave Adytol unguarded for long.”
“Perhaps we can ask Voxebellum to stay as well,” I say. “He and Lyssa would do well together to defend Adytol.”
Kalteratem looks at me, as if calculating something. “Indeed. They can aid Adytol once the four of you leave.”
“The only thing to consider is that Amenyl will probably expect Estelle and Thorn at the meeting,” Mortimer says. “Not that they have to be there, just that they may be anticipated.”
“One of them could come with and head back to Adytol,” Neil says.
“If not both of us,” Thorn says. “We can always come for a quick trip and then return to Adytol, accomplishing what both of you noted—that we show ourselves on the field of battle, to draw Vladykars, but then return home to protect it in the case that they see it as an opportunity.”
“And then you both can introduce us to King Mahlir,” Mortimer says. “I like this.”
“The meeting is in another week,” Veremund says. “Therefore, we will all prepare to depart, but Estelle and Thorn will return to Adytol shortly after our arrival. Give us another week after you return, and then head out for the Malum Palace. If we need more time, we can send a messenger to alert you.”
I glance at Astralux and nod. “I think this makes sense.”
“Very good. And…thank you.” Veremund looks around the room. “This was a much more productive conversation, but I also thank you, Wards, for your willingness to step in when you risk so much.”
The toll of the signal bells causes us all to jump. I stare back at the Wards, who look as surprised as me. Then we rush for our dragons.
“What now?” Mortimer asks, his tone anxious.
Just as we fly out of the Sun Room, Voxebellum meets us outside. “Wards! A dragon approaches from the south.”
Astralux swoops around the building, and we both peer off to the south intently. Veremund and Kalteratem, higher in the air than us, both frown a little. “It is a smaller dragon,” Kalteratem says. “A young adult—and not a Vladykar I recognize.”
I spot the pale, reddish-golden scales of the dragon. “Hold!” I say. “Those are allies!”
“That’s Prince Philander and Oneiro!” Thorn shouts.
“What?!” Volkan exclaims.
“Let’s go,” I say to Astralux. She grumbles under her breath but does fly forward, Thorn and Vitegadium just behind me. As we near, Oneiro slows down until he hovers in the air. He teeters, favoring one of his wings, and I spot the char of burned scales across his side, just under his left wing.
Prince Philander has his wolf’s hood up, but he lifts his head and gives me a small smile. “Hail, fair Ward Estelle! I am glad to have found you and your allies. May we land?”
I point at the grassy area by the Wards’ Palace. “Over here.”
Oneiro’s gray-purple eyes are wide as he flies into Adytol, but he goes straight for the grassy area, and lands with a slight tumble. As soon as Astralux is down I jump off and jog over to Oneiro. His scales are bristling, and he growls as I approach. Beyond, Vitegadium and Thorn are already landing, the other Wards circling much slower.
“Easy, Oneiro. You know Ward Estelle.” Prince Philander dismounts, his purple-flecked gray eyes staring around at the other Wards that land all around them as he drops his wolf’s hood. “She is a superb medic.”
Oneiro stops growling and I step up to his wing, looking over the burn. “What happened?” I ask.
Prince Philander’s smug smile disappears as he cringes. “Klevor and the Vladykars no longer bide their time, but now have come at us in full force. The Golden Palace will soon be under siege.”
“Ariadna above,” Vitegadium whispers.
“I revealed Oneiro to my father, as you requested, Ward Estelle,” Prince Philander says. “Thankfully, you and Ward Thorn’s arrivals did much to appease his mistrust of Oneiro. However, we by ourselves are no match for such hordes of enemies—the burn on Oneiro is from one of their flaming catapults—so my father requested that we find you, and request your aid immediately.”
I pull out my medic’s kit that I keep tied on Astralux’s saddle and bring it over, pulling out a clean cloth and a small bottle of rubbing alcohol. “This will sting, but we need to clean the wound.”
Oneiro bares his teeth at me, growling, but holds himself still as I pour the rubbing alcohol over the area, while Prince Philander gains a little sweat on his brow. Astralux remains nearby, watching Oneiro very intently. I feel her suspicion—she fears that Oneiro will attack me.
I send a guard off for Domagoj and Head Nurse Jaye, and another for a bucket of water, and then begin to dab Oneiro’s burn wound carefully with the doused cleaning cloth. It doesn’t look like it burned deep, but it is in a bad spot so close to his wing. I take out my needle and thread, and Oneiro growls at me again. Astralux growls back at him, starting to spread her wings, and I feel her protective rage rising. I send back a flood of peace, and Astralux’s growl cuts off. She cocks her head at me, and I can’t help smiling a little as I stick Oneiro with the threaded needle.
Prince Philander visibly jerks, while Oneiro yelps. The other Wards, landing all around us, watch the two newcomers carefully as I thread the tear at the base of Oneiro’s wing back to his body. As soon as I’m done, Prince Philander exhales noisily, although Oneiro is still growling at me.
“Thank you,” Prince Philander says to me, his voice shaky.
“You should probably let that wing rest as long as you can,” I say to Oneiro. “It needs to heal.”
Oneiro gingerly pulls his wing back to himself, still growling. I get the impression he’s just in a lot of pain. Prince Philander dabs a silk handkerchief over his forehead—quite a bit of pain.
Then Prince Philander and Oneiro’s eyes go wide again as Veremund and Kalteratem approaches. “Welcome to Adytol, Prince Philander of Verlassen, and Oneiro,” Veremund says. “I am Ward Veremund, and this is my bonded, Kalteratem.”
“Hello,” Prince Philander says, his voice still trembling as he stares up at Kalteratem.
“We overheard you saying that Klevor and Vladykars are invading Amenyl?” Kalteratem says.
Oneiro nods, oddly mute now. Prince Philander takes a breath. “We have had attacks prior, but now they march against the Golden Palace,” he says, sounding more poised again. “Given your offer of alliance through Ward Estelle and Ward Thorn, great Ward Veremund and great Kalteratem, we hoped that perhaps you could aid us sooner.”
“Indeed. Rest, young prince,” Veremund says. “We had already intended to depart soon to fight alongside Amenyl.”
Prince Philander exhales noisily for a second time. “Thank you.”
“Come.” Veremund beckons to the Wards’ Palace. “Let’s get you some food and drink. I think rest would be good for you both.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Prince Philander says.
Putting away my medic’s supplies, I share a look with Thorn, whose expression is difficult to read. But if I had to guess, he’s thinking what I’m thinking: If the Vladykars and Klevor are already marching against the Golden Palace, can we truly be enough of a force to draw all of the Vladykars to battle? And if so, will anyone survive?
Tamara Rivers 
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