An echo of a dream, or a memory: The estate of Lady Lissana Wyrashe. Three days ago.

Lissana sat at her desk her expression inscrutable to any but her closest advisors. Across from her, Nash and Cier stood. Though Nash affected an aloof expression, the way his arms were crossed tensely across his torso indicated some degree of displeasure. Cier, however, made his state of mind abundantly clear.

"He's walked into a trap." He said. "You know the rumors regarding the Archdrake, if nothing is done, Rex may end up in a position even you cannot rescue him from, my Lady."

"Dispense with formality." Lissana stated. "It only causes such meetings to drag on endlessly."

Cier dipped his head. "You know as well as I that while he can handle curses that he willingly takes on himself, and indeed it has been a great boon in the deconstruction of several without causing harm to him or others, it is clear with other testing that curses laid upon him are and remain to be his major weakness."

Nash looked at Cier. "And what of a consensual curse laid upon him?" He asked. "Does a Contract bind him as effectively, or can he ignore it?"

"That remains to be seen." Cier stated. "But regardless, the Archdrake is yet untested, and reports of him actually performing miracles are ambiguous at best..."

"And false at worse." Lissana stated. "I am aware."

"It was more for Nash's benefit, my Lady." Cier stated.

"Basha is a known element." Nash stated. "Second in line to become Archdrake, yet not ambitious enough to do anything about it. We know for a fact that he, at the very least, is capable of keeping Rex safe."

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"Do you remember when the current Archdrake rose to his position?" Cier asked.

"I was not born then." Nash stated with a lash of his tail, which thumped loudly against a chair, causing it to fall over. Nash quickly picked the chair up and put it upright. "Apologies." He said. Lissana raised her hand briefly in acknowledgement.

"Cier, I am aware of when the Archdrake rose to power, I was present on the bestowal of his title. I remember that the Dragonblaze had the hardest time lighting, it was wondered whether or not he was truly worthy of the position. Yet, it lit, and still burns to this day." She rested her elbows on her desk, while resting her fingertips together. "The matter remains, however, how much a threat will the Archdrake be when he realizes Rex is resistant to magic?"

"Likely, a large enough threat that closer monitoring of the situation may be required." Cier stated. "Do you really think Rex is capable of holding out that long?"

"He has faith only in the love of a mother." Nash stated. "But I admit I know little of what his home is actually like, or what his home life was like. All I know is that he was trained to never cry openly, that with his ability to hide his outward emotions would at least allow him to keep his talent hidden, considering the lack of magical combat in a given Temple."

"Can we expect the Archdrake to abide by the terms of the Contract?" Lissana asked. There was no response.

"There have never been any initiates to the Temple, willing or otherwise, who left. The story is always the same, that they have nowhere else to go, that they have found faith, that they will not be willing to leave. Rex, who does have somewhere to go, who already has a form of faith, who has precious memories stored within his... his 'smart speak'. If he were to match the fervor of the rest of the Priests..."

"Could you live with him dying, my Lady?" Cier asked.

"Only if he becomes a threat." Lissana stated. "But I would prefer he remain alive if possible. If I had been more open and honest about his situation..."

"You would have attracted the attention of several factions who would have loved to utilize his talents for their own benefit." Nash stated, "and the Temple would have come for him much sooner."

Lissana carefully picked up the smartphone. She had seen how it could be accessed and had spent some time trying to understand it.

"Cier, I want you to go to the Temple and give this to Rex. This will be your pretense for being there. If there are any questions, merely state it is a magical device that shows the image of his mother." She turned it around and showed the least unusual picture possible. "Use whatever excuse you can to meet with him in private, I want you to ensure he understands just how much his life may be in danger."

Cier took the smartphone and nodded. "I will make haste, then."

Lissana nodded and Cier bowed before leaving. She looked at Nash. "I have important business with Lady Vitria, as such, we will have to wait before we hear Cier's report."

"Pleasant." Nash stated sardonically...

A Resurgent Echo Falls to the Abyss...