They stared at me, and then Arndrir broke into a wide grin while Thord’s mouth fell open. He was staring at the sword, I saw. Before I could speak I heard Tiriel’s voice.

“Peter!” she cried and came bounding out from another room- and stopped, like she’d run into a wall. She stared at the Dragonblade, and for the first time that I’d seen, she looked utterly stunned.

She was joined half a minute later by Serah, who came from the same room at a more sedate pace, and who went up beside Tiriel and joined her in staring at the sword. She didn’t look as stunned as Tiriel, though.

“Here is Lord Peter,” the aide announced, “who has requested to meet you and join your party. His Eminence General Kerendre has granted his request, if you are willing. You may keep these rooms until the morning, if you wish. When you leave, an escort will be provided to ensure your safe passage out of Davorra.”

For a moment, nobody responded, but then Serah prodded Tiriel, who shook herself out of her stun and bowed her head towards the aide.

“Thank you,” she said. “We are grateful for your courteous treatment. We shall be on our way in the morning, at the latest.” She glanced at me, frowning, but the aide simply nodded and withdrew.

There were two Dimran guards on this side of the door, but they stood unobtrusively by the door and looked like they were trying to melt into the walls. The others ignored them, and so would I, I decided.

“Peter,” Tiriel said again, in an awed voice, but with her bubbling laughter simmering beneath.

“Lord Peter?” Thord said, and got up from the sofa. He laughed as he came over to me, laughed and shook his head. “And with a nice new sword, I see.”

“Not as new as all that,” I said. “It is good to see you again.”

“And you,” Serah said. “And this... is unexpected.” She nodded towards the Dragonblade, and I could see the wonder and awe in her eyes.

“Come, come!” Tiriel said, taking my hand and dragging me into an inner room, away from the guards at the door. “Tell us everything! What happened?” Her eyes twinkled and she practically bounced on the floor with excitement.

I laughed as I followed her, into a small room with a round table and six chairs. We sat around it, and I put the Dragonblade beside my chair, leaning against the table.

I smiled around at my friends, with multiple emotions swirling through me. Arndrir brought up the most painful one, though, so I didn’t have to.

“Caveria?” he said, quietly.

I shook my head. “The dragon took her.” He closed his eyes and looked pained. “I’m... sorry. I tried to save her, but... the dragon took her instead.”

He nodded, his eyes still closed.

“You must tell us everything now,” Tiriel said. She didn’t seem very perturbed by the news. “What dragon? What happened? How did you get the Dragonblade?” She was nearly bouncing in her chair.

I took a deep breath, and began to tell them.

“This is wonderful!” Tiriel exclaimed as I finished telling my story. “It is just as I thought!”

“What is?” I said.

“That you got the sword! That’s why you’re here! I thought so, from the start.”

I stared at her, with a deepening frown. “Tiriel,” I said slowly, “just what do you know about what is going on? Has the Moon Goddess told you?”

“No!” she laughed. “She never does. But I asked her to send us a hero who could save Lumaria, and later that evening we met you!”

I glanced at Serah, who smiled back with a small shrug.

“Does the Moon Goddess talk to you?” I asked her.

“No,” she said. “Well, sometimes, in dreams. But never very clearly. Although... I did dream about Caveria and the dragon.”

“What?” I said. “What did you dream?”

“It was just a short fragment,” she said. “A dragon flying through thick clouds, and Caveria was riding with it, although I couldn’t see her.”

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“In its belly,” I said, unable to keep my bitterness down.

“Maybe,” she said. “It’s possible, I can’t be sure. Peter,” she said gently. “I know it must have been very difficult to see the dragon beat her and take, but this entire thing is clearly done with the Goddess’ involvement. If it was Her will that Caveria should die, then - so it was. And if it wasn’t, then she’s not dead. Even if the dragon took her.”

“It talked about her as if she was alive,” I said, “but - it ate her. It swallowed her!”

“Did you see it eat her?” Arndrir asked, his face intent. “Did you see it bite her, or swallow her?”

“No,” I said. “No, I didn’t. Are you trying to tell me she might be alive?”

“If so, it’s willed by the Goddess,” Serah said, “and there is not much we can do about it. She will face her own destiny as the Goddess wills. As will we all,” she added quietly.

I sighed and looked around the table at them. Tiriel looked happy and completely untroubled by whatever the Goddess’ plans were. Arndrir looked thoughtful, Serah smiled kindly but looked tired, and Thord was grinning twistedly.

“You haven’t been involved with the business of the gods and goddesses much, boy.” He shook his head and showed teeth. “You learn to trust in whatever happens, and do what you can.”

“Right,” I said. “Right. That’s... kind of what I’ve realized myself. That since I’m here, and since I got the sword, I have to use it somehow.”

“Yes,” Tiriel said, “the sword. I thought about what you said, before you and Caveria left. I now also think it is too late to try to hide it. Especially now - did you know I woke up from lightning and thunder a few hours ago, and that I could sense a strange magic up on the mountainside?”

“So you can sense the sword,” I said.

“Yes,” she said. “Anyone with magical powers can.”

“So can others," Arndrir broke in. "You have been to see the general," he continued. He was resting his chin in his hand, watching me with a thoughtful look.

I nodded. “I wanted to make him release you.”

“And you used the sword to convince him.”

“Yes,” I said. “He sent for Samra, the guy who tried to stop us when we left.”

“And?”

“He challenged me. We fought, and I won.”

Arndrir nodded. “So the sword isn’t secret to the general, or anyone who saw the fight.”

“No,” I said. “I thought about that, when I got it. I don’t think it will work to try and hide it, or stay out of sight. Everyone will search for it.”

“That I agree with,” he said.

“So, the only thing we can do - I can do - is to use it. And I intend to.” I looked down at my hands on the table, and glanced at the sword beside my chair. “I said before I will stop the war. I can’t do that by hiding. I can only do that with the sword.”

“How would you do that?” Thord asked.

“I... I’m not sure,” I said. “But back home, on Earth, people often tried diplomacy to stop wars. Sometimes it worked.”

“I don’t recognize that word,” Thord said.

“Diplomacy,” I said. “It means... to talk, really. And to agree not to fight, and to give something and get something in return instead.”

“Hm,” he said. “What do you think the kingdoms will want? Isn’t it the sword they’re after?”

I frowned back at him. “Perhaps,” I said. “But I don’t have any other idea, not right now. It’s late.”

“It is,” Serah said. “Or it’s early, soon.” She looked at Tiriel.

“Yes,” she said. “The general allowed us to stay here until the morning. On my authority as the party’s leader, I propose we do so. And try to sleep a little more, if we can.” She grinned at me. “But as soon as morning comes, I am disbanding the party.”

“What?” I said.

“I was sent down from the mountains by my brother,” she said, “with instructions to put together a party of great adventurers, find the Dragonblade and bring it back for hiding, before it could spark a horrible war.”

“But...” I said, staring at her. “You’ve done the first two, haven’t you?” I found my hand creeping down to touch the sword beside me. She was not going to take it from me and hide it!

“One and a half,” she laughed. “I didn’t find the Blade. We didn’t. You did. And it’s too late to hide it. So, I’ve failed. Therefore, I am disbanding the party.”

“Wait!” I said. “I hoped we could continue together! I have no idea how I can do this on my own!”

She nodded. “Then you should form a new party, and ask the members from my party if they will join yours.” She cocked her head and smiled that blazing smile. I had to look away. I wasn’t in the mood for smiling, I felt annoyed.

“She’s right,” Thord rumbled. “Her brother won’t want to pay for a party that goes off and does something else than he asked it to.”

“But...” I didn’t have any money. I realized Tiriel had been paying for inns, taverns, food, and everything else, with that gold she had hidden somewhere in her packs. There was no way I could do that, even though I still had a little gold left of what Lecander had given me.

“No, he won’t,” Tiriel said, with a giggle. That annoyed me even more.

“Well,” I said, “in that case there’ll be no party. I don’t have any gold.”

“But I do,” she said, smiling again. I looked away, and she relented. “I could sponsor a new party,” she said. “I won’t be the leader, but I could sponsor it.”

“With your brother’s gold?” I said.

“No, no!” she said with an airy wave. “I have enough gold to my own name. I am the High Princess Tiriel of the Elven Kingdom of the Splendorous Mountains, Peter! That is not only a funny title. Gold is not a problem.”

“Right...” I said, feeling confused.

“I propose we discuss this further tomorrow,” Serah said. “It would be good if we can sleep a little.”

“Yes!” Tiriel said, hopping up from her chair. “Sleep, and think about what you will do, all of you. Especially you, Peter. Good night!” She spun, and danced away toward hers and Serah’s room.

I looked at Thord, who was quite clearly trying to suppress a big laugh.

“She’s like that, boy. You know that. Really impulsive, but a stickler for protocol. Very elvish!” He shook his head and laughed, more quietly.

“Not at all like a dwarf, then.” Arndrir smile as he rose from his chair. “There are two empty beds in our room, Peter. You are welcome to use one of them.”

“I don’t know if I can sleep,” I admitted.

“I can help with that,” Serah said. “I have a herb mixture that will help quiet the soul and body.”

“I... Thank you,” I told her.

Serah’s herbs did wonders, even though she couldn’t make an infusion and I had to chew it. With it, and with another healing cake from her, I fell asleep right away and slept like a log. For all of three hours, until we were awoken by the guards.