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Chapter 54

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Tundor and Vanquish looked at the excited elf with the red sword. Something unspoken seemed to pass between them. They stood there, not saying anything.

Mandel looked at Vanquish. His face began to pinch in puzzlement.

“I thought you would be happy, Vanquish. Why aren’t you happy? My mother lost this a long time ago We can use this in the fight against Argent.

“Lothinex made the four swords for different purposes. I like that one the least. For obvious reasons. “ The dragon replied.

”But it has to be useful!." he argued. "It does other things too. It still feels super sharp even after all these years, and Mother said it can shoot lightning!”

”Yes, the runes on it are basically the same ones as the spell some of the more powerful elves use to launch a bolt of electricity. I can actually do that spell too. It has a much longer range than Mortimer’s fire, but it’s not very magically efficient. It is a wasteful use of power, in my opinion.” she paused.

“That it can do those other things is not really my problem with it.” Said Vanquish.

”That other function was just a rumor. The telepathic attribute of the sword wasn’t real, was it?” Asked Mandel.

“It is not a rumor. I can assure you. That sword can amplify elven thought telepathy. It has the power to help a pushy elf that knows what they are doing force a dragon to bond against the dragon's will to the contrary. It would not work on me of course. At my size, my magic is quite resistant.”

”But I could just hold this sword and focus on Tundor here and…”

Tundor felt a strange feeling wash over him. Mandel suddenly seemed even kinder than Lothinar. He had helped him escape. That was all he needed to know. He needed to find someone to bond with anyway.

Vanquish reached out with a claw and quickly struck the red sword out of Mandel’s hand. Tundor jumped back in surprise and fear as the overpowering feeling quickly faded.

”Oops. I’m really sorry, Tundor.” Mandel said “I can see how that sword could be dangerous, in the wrong hands.”

”There are no ‘right hands’ for that sword. said Vanquish. It is Crimson the enslaver of dragons. That’s why I hid it away so many years ago. I should have flown out over the ocean with it and dropped it in deep water.”

”Why didn’t you?” Asked Tundor, shuddering at how fast he had felt so overwhelmed by the sword's influence.

”Muina made me promise not to and I keep my word. She has a sentimental attachment to it. Unlike the other swords, It was her Grandfather’s personal weapon before he passed it down to her.

"The magic for making these swords died with him. In spite of how I felt about it, she just seemed to feel that someday it might somehow become useful,” said Vanquish.

”I still think it might be.” Said Mandel somewhat defiantly. Then he lowered his eyes at Tundors withering look.

Tundor couldn't help but be curious. "Why did she ask you to hide her grandfather's blade?"

"You mean besides me asking her every day to do so? snorted the dragon. "But, of course, you don't know Muina and Mandel's story."

When Muina took up the horrible job of trying to become Argent's next bride, she went to live in the elven capitol. Naturally, she attracted a lot of attention. Including that of lecherous old Argent. That was, by the way, long after we ended our bond. I don't think I could have been part of that." said the dragon with obvious distaste. "It would be ghastly to be one of his wives. I don't think I could have been bonded to her while she went through all of that. At least Argent was well past his prime at that point, and her having to have sex with him was very minimal.

Mandel looked uncomfortable as Vanquish discussed his mother's sex life. Tundor tried not to enjoy his embarrassment as retribution for the previous emotional onslaught.

"Argent has always wanted someone that looks good on his arm at social functions," said Mandel, attempting to change the subject away from the frequency of intercourse.

"It was part of their plan to use a surrogate to fake a pregnancy and then, after a male child was born, infiltrate him into the government as a false son of Argent. They wanted to infiltrate the power structure from the inside. It complicated things immensely because the pregnancy ended in twins. I really don't know how Ardwella and Talmadge talked Argent into believing it."

The dragon sighed. "Muina obviously couldn’t keep the sword with her through all that. There was too much chance of it falling into the wrong hands. I hid it here."

"My mother was always told to keep her distance from Mavis and me. Argent always believed that even those in his own family might conspire against him. He moved her out of the capital for many years. Mavis and I were largely raised by wet nurses and courtesans. If Talmadge hadn't been smuggling us around behind his back I would barely know my mother.

"Why would Talmadge go to the trouble to help the sisters?" Asked Tundor. "What was in it for him?"

"Talmadge was a schemer. He wanted someone to control inside Argent's close family. He obviously thought it would eventually get him on the throne."

”Thank you, Vanquish. Explaining that to Tundor helped me better understand how the sword came to be here. So what now?” Asked Mandel, eyeing the red sword in the dirt.

Vanquish just looked at him. Finally, she said. "I didn't want that found, you know..."

Mandel was looking increasingly agitated. "Are you trying to tell me that I can't keep it?"

The big blue dragon and the elf just stood there staring at each other. Finally, Tundor could take no more of the tension.

“I am very grateful for what you both have done for me.” Said Tundor. “Really grateful. But I should probably get going “

”I think you picking up that sword and experimenting with it on Tundor may have just ruined your chances to ever have Tundor trust you." said Vanquish to Mandel. "That's what the rest of your life is going to look like if you keep that sword."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take!" said Mandel defiantly.

"Out of love for your mother, I will not stop you," said Vanquish turning her back on him. She looked at Tundor.

"I will go with you, Tundor. It is time to go and find Esmarilla and Vanador. It has been too long since I saw them and no doubt you could use my magical assistance at the lake restoring dragons to their full potential."

"I'm sure you would be a big help with that," said Tundor.

"I would also like to meet this Lothinar that you think so highly of," said Vanquish with a sniff. She shot a cold glare at Mandel. "He sounds like an elf I might actually respect!"

"You are leaving me here?" asked Mandel in disbelief. "Come on, Vanquish! It's a really long walk,"

"My price for a ride... anywhere is that you give up that sword and let me hide it again." said the huge blue dragon.

"I researched it, I dug through the ruins for it. The sword is MINE!" shouted Mandel. He seethed with anger.

"No, it is MINE!" said a forceful female voice from above them, and Tundor ducked as Vanador passed over them and dropped from the sky. He landed fast and hard right next to them, dropping into a crouch. On his back were two elves. Siophra and Ardwella.

No. Tundor realized after a second or two that Vanador’s second rider was not actually Ardwella. It could only be Muina. Ardwella's twin. This must be what Ardwella had looked like before working on her physical characteristics with magic. There were a few more lines around the eyes and mouth. She has begun aging again since the bond was broken. The breasts were less full. The hair was a bit shorter. She was older but still very beautiful, thought the dragon. No wonder Argent had fallen for her. And I killed her daughter! Tundor was suddenly reminded of his actions while under Ardwynn’s control.

"I wonder if she knows that?" he said to himself. He tried to shrink down and make himself less visible.

"I recognize the dragon. You must be Aunt Siophra," said Mandel, ignoring his mother's words about the sword.

"Thank you for getting Tundor away from Ardwynn," said Siophra jumping off her dragon. "How did you do it?"

"I drugged Ardwynn. The rest was mostly Tundor. He was able to overcome her orders when she was deeply unconscious. He must have really wanted to break the bond. We were able to fly here, and then Vanquish did her blue dragon magic on him." said Mandel.

Siophra walked slowly up to Tundor. "I need to tell you something, Tundor. It will ease your guilt. Mavis is alive. Vanador and Esmarilla were able to get to her and heal her."

Tundor felt tears welling up in his eyes. He choked them back as unseemly.

“I am grateful for that. Thank you,” he said softly.

"Did you know that this dragon attacked your sister, Mandel?”

"He didn't mention that!" said Mandel.

"I didn't know she was your sister! You didn't tell me who you were! You said your name was Clark!" cried Tundor.

"He was in bondage, but now he's free," said Vanquish. "I can not speak for Mavis, but nobody here will blame you, Tundor, for what Ardwynn made you do." Her large eyes passed over each of them in turn but then locked on Vanador. They lingered there. They seemed to be sharing some sort of unspoken thoughts together. As soon as Muina also jumped off his back, the blue dragon quickly moved over to Vanador and began nuzzling him.

Tundor suddenly realized that these two must be lovers.

"You are mated with Vanquish?" Tundor asked Vanador in surprise.

"What? Do you think you are the first white dragon that ever fell in love with a blue dragon?" asked Vanador. "It's very common."

"Don't pull the child's tail, my mate," said Vanquish. "It is not very common at all, but I thought it was a strange coincidence, Tundor, that your relationship with Candasar is a lot like our own."

"It's very good to be near you again, Vandador," said Vanquish with a sultry expression. "So tell me the truth. Do you think I've gotten fat?"

Mandel looked at the obvious size difference between the large white dragon and the larger blue dragon, then began laughing. Tears began flowing from his eyes. He laughed hard and long. The laughter was infectious. Soon Siophra and Muina joined him. When they finally stopped laughing, Mandel handed the sword back to his mother.

"If this sword is going to make dragons not want to be around me, then I'm definitely giving it back. I wouldn't want to miss any of this. It’s just too entertaining.”

”And it sure beats walking,” muttered Tundor under his breath.

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They were all at the barn. Arberad, Lothinar, Ronniflass, and the three dragons. Technically, Esmarilla was in the pasture just outside the barn, but the big doors were open. The bull was as far away from Esmarilla as he could get in the pastured area, and Lothinar was sure, in spite of his grazing, that he was keeping one eye on the big black dragon. Little Firestorm kept running in and out of the barn, hiding from him and then reappearing. She would prance around a bit, then turn tail on him and pretend to run.

"I don't think that you are correct about bulls being attracted to the color red Lothinar. He's not chasing me at all."

"That's because he's actually a very smart bull, and he wants to live," said Ronniflass, laughing a bit at her antics. "Esmarilla is probably just looking for an excuse to eat him"

"I just finished eating," said Esmarilla, actually burping. The smell of smoke and brimstone was pretty strong. "I'm not even interested at the moment"

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"He didn't seem to be afraid of me!" said Candasar a little indignantly.

"Well, look at the size difference," said Lothinar. Esmarilla is ten times bigger than he is"

"Indigestion? Asked Alberad looking at the black dragon.

"I'd rather not talk about it" said Esmarilla. Then both she and Albarad blushed.

"I told you! said Firestorm."

"Moving along... " said Lothinar. "I've got to go back to Della and try to figure out what happened between the King's men and Esmarilla. I'd like to take Ronni with me because she's related to the queen. But I think the rest of you should stay here until I figure out what to do about all this misunderstanding”

"You are not leaving me behind!" said Firestorm. I can fly. Well, I can hop really far and glide. I just ate a couple of more weasels, so I insist on going along."

Lothinar looked at Candasar. "Can you carry all three of us?"

"Probably for part of the way,” she said, but she didn't look comfortable. "That little dragon is already getting much heavier. Just leave her here. You're spoiling her!”

”But I wanna go!” Pouted the little dragon. “Lothinar loves me too!”

"I could solve this easily," said Esmarilla. I could at least get you a lot closer and then turn around and head back up here."

Candasar looked at the big dragon with concern. "Would being closer to town cause you to be more under a certain unwanted influence?"

"Ardwella! You are talking about Ardwella right?" asked Albarad with some confusion.

"Unfortunately, yes," said Candasar, somewhat surprised at Albarad’s perceptiveness. “Esmarilla recently has been reluctant to do as she's been told. I don't think Ardwella is very happy about that."

"Well I am." said Albarad. "Ardwella has not been acting right for some time. I appreciate that you are at least giving her a different perspective, Esmarilla. For some reason, I don't ever seem to be able to do it." Then he frowned. “I wonder why?”

"It doesn't exactly work that way, but thank you, Albarad.” Said the black dragon.

"You saved my life last night. At least, I think you did. Being away from her to deliver the horses made me nervous. I don't really know why I acted that way, but when the priest told me she had been injured, I was furious and lost control. He was the one who wanted my horses and asked me to go. Because I struck him, I could tell those men were going to kill me."

"That is actually why I could act," said Esmarilla. "Even unconscious, Ardwella has powerful protective feelings about you, Albarad. In her own strange way, she does love you very much. Her desire to protect you overcame her desire to control me.... and it actually gave me an opportunity to rescue you and get both of us away from there. That the added distance reduced her persuasiveness didn't really occur to her until she actually woke up."

"She's finally awake then? asked Albarad. "I need to go to her."

"The king is going to throw you in prison, if not outright kill you on sight." Said Esmarilla. "I didn't mean to, but I burned some people a little and did a little trampling when I pulled you out of there. One of them was the Queen."

"You hurt my sister?" yelled Ronni, not taking that new information well.

"Unfortunately, yes. She deliberately jumped in the way. Perhaps she thought I wouldn't hurt a half-elf. I didn't really mean to, but she was wrong. I had to get through her or they were going to kill Alberad. "

"We need to go now! Lothinar, please!?" Ronni begged. “You need to heal my sister!”

Lothinar hesitated. "What is my mother telling you, Esmarilla?"

Ardwella wants me to come back so she can get better control of me, but she wants Albarad to stay far away for now."

"Well, then, keep ignoring her. You are both staying away. You will both have to keep each other from doing something foolish. The rest of us are going. Firestorm if you want to come then I'll be holding you for as long as Candasar can manage it. Then you are going to have to fly on your own. Or at least glide. Whatever it takes."

“Hooray!” Yelled Firestorm. ”I get flying lessons!”

"At least it's mostly downhill," said Candasar rolling her eyes.

Esmarilla consulted with Candasar, and the dragons decided on a plan that reminded Lothinar of the mean joke that Candasar and Aleena had tried to pull on him recently. Thinking about it made Lothinar sad at the passing of Candasar’s cousin. It helped reinforce his resolve to stay angry at Ardwynn.

They were going to attempt a modified flight plan. Candasar was going to use most of her energy early to gain as much altitude as possible. Then she was going to try to rest and glide most of the way in. The aerodynamics were terrible with the little dragon aboard, so somewhere along the way, Firestorm was most likely going to be dropped. She would see if she could glide alongside her new surrogate mother. It was a dangerous first flying lesson. After everyone was in position on her back, Lothinar could only observe as Candasar took a brief run and flapped her way into the air. She was working hard. Her wings became great fans, and her lungs were mighty bellows. They climbed for quite a long time. Lothinar had never been this high. If not for the furnace of heat coming off Candasar’s back, it might be quite cold.

"I remember. you saying something like you would never drop a baby dragon from high in the air!" said Lothinar.

"I did say that didn't I, You know you didn't have to bring her. You need to learn to say NO Lothinar. Firestorm is going to walk all over you."

"And you don't? "

"No, I do not! Also, Esmarilla and I had a talk. You are going to have to check with me before you start making promises to anyone!"

"Now that doesn't sound bossy at all," said Lothinar smiling.

They were finally gliding. Candasar had climbed strongly. Rising out of the forest and high into the sky. Candasar had been flying much more of a sprint than a marathon. She was still breathing heavily from her exertions. Ronniflass actually sat behind Lothinar this time. She was holding on to him tightly. In front of him, just over Candasars neck Firestorm crouched backwards. Her wings were tight against her body, trying to minimize drag. Her eyes were wide at being up so high. Her bravado was gone. She looked a little worried. The forested mountains looked very far away. The air was thin. They continued to glide. Occasionally, even in her fatigue, Candasar would beat her wings a few times for course correction.

They went quite a long way. But suddenly, Candasar confirmed Lothinar's suspicions by proclaiming that they were not going to make it. Firestorm was going to have to get off. Firestorm's eyes got bigger.

"You can do it!" coaxed Lothinar to the little dragon.

"When it comes to flying, I would hardly call you an expert, Lothinar," said the little red dragon.

"Get off!" said Candasar. "You're slowing us down too much!"

"Don't wanna!" said Firestorm.

"You will be fine, Firestorm. Just remember what I told you. Hold your wings out flat and twitch the edges when you want to turn. It's actually pretty easy!" said Candasar.

"Fine!" she said angrily, leaning out and jumping off. She actually fell about thirty feet spinning wildly which terrified Lothinar, Ronniflass actually started shrieking. But she moved her wings correctly and dropped into a stable glide."

"Hey, this is fun!" she giggled.

"Don't get cocky, pipsqueak! We've still got a ways to go," said Candasar.

Lothinar could see the lake glistening in the distance. It was still quite far. They were way too low. Candasar began pumping her wings a bit but Firestorm was struggling. Her wing muscles were not really strong enough. She tried gliding again, aiming downward, sacrificing altitude for speed. Gliding downhill toward the near side of the lake. Lothinar watched, terrified, as she barely cleared the last of the trees and then ran out of momentum and plunged from height. She splashed in about a hundred yards out into the middle of the lake.

"Dragons can't swim," he thought. "How am I going to rescue her before she drowns?"

"Well, that went fantastic! Said Candasar. "Next time, maybe you will listen to me!"

She pumped her wings and swung out over the water. She was very tired but determined to find Firestorm. Lothar could swim. If she could get him out to the little dragon, he might be able to….Suddenly her blood ran cold. Out in the lake, she saw one of her least favorite water dragons. It was one-eyed Killingsworth. The dragon she had maimed in the fight weeks before. He was one of the elder council dragons that she and Tundor had defecated upon in their childish urge for revenge. She could see him bearing straight toward the little red dragon flailing in the water. She looked like she was going under. It looked like Killingsworth would finally have an opportunity for his revenge.

Candasar gouted fire in her frustration. Lothinar and Ronniflass ducked quickly as Candasar flew through her own flames. There was nothing she could do! He was upon the little red dragon!

The water dragon grabbed Firestorm in his mouth and gently placed her on his back. He began swimming to shore. The red dragon looked like a half-drowned cat, but she was smiling.

"Whoo wee! That was a close one! Thanks, Killingsworth! I appreciate the save!" she called out.

"Do you two know each other?" asked Candasar. She was very confused.

"Of course I know him!" asserted Firestorm. He's one of my favorites! He's on the list!"

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Cantrell was standing next to Mo-Rung. They were looking at two little hatchling dragons and an extremely pretty but slightly deranged elf. One of the dragons was black, and the other one was white. Mavis, the aforementioned pretty but deranged elf, had climbed right into the nest with them and was rolling around among them, petting and caressing them. She was making strange cooing noises. The little dragons seemed to love the extra attention.

"You know, Mavis," Cantrell said with amusement. "A dragon's nest is not the cleanest place in which to roll around. You have dragon eggshell in your hair."

"But they are so cute!" said Mavis. "You need to climb in here and see for yourself!"

"I can see just fine from here." Said Cantrell with a smile. "Besides I see fish bones and stuff down in the bottom there. Don't poke yourself on something sharp."

"I thought it smelled a little fishy in here," said Mavis.

"Vanessa fed them right after they hatched," said Mo-Rung. She did a remarkably good job for someone so young. Newly hatched dragons can be quite ravenous. Firestorm ate quite a bit of a cow when she first hatched. Of course, we made sure she got it in small pieces. Vanessa was a little panicked when the eggs hatched and she was here all alone. I wonder where her parents went off to?"

"Vanessa is Tundor's sister, is that right?" said Mavis with a strange look on her face.

"Yes, that's right. And I know what you are thinking," said Mo-Rung. "I'm angry too. What you went through was terrifying and horrible, but I don't think Tundor is to blame for it."

"I might understand that he was under Ardwynn's control but I'm having a hard time separating the attacker from the one doing the actual attacking. The attack should have killed me. Indirectly the attack killed Aleena as well. I know I'm sitting here alive and talking about it, but...."

"For all we know, he might be bonded to Argent right now. From everything I've been told, that would be a terrible fate for a dragon," said Mo-Rung.

"Mavis nodded and tried to consider what he had said. In her mind, though, the images of Tundors jaws grabbing her head and neck, then violently twisting still remained."

The mood was spoiled, and she climbed out of the bottom of the nest, leaving behind a couple of disappointed little dragons. She stood next to Cantrell and then hugged him tightly. She noticed that he didn't pull back or even seem to mind when she pressed her fishy-smelling clothing against him. He tenderly reached over and pulled a bit of eggshell from her hair. He looked deeply into her eyes.

"Are you all right?" he asked

"No, but I will be. Cantrell, I think this may be rather forward, but I think I want to take you home and have you make love to me," said Mavis suddenly.

He stood there. He seemed deep in thought.

"That's not the reaction I was hoping for," she said.

"Please understand that I'm not saying no." said Cantrell, "But I think its important for me to understand what that means.... Going forward from here..." He looked a little worried.

"I was as good as dead. Now I'm alive. I want to celebrate that. I want to feel alive. I know that you can give me that Cantrell. You have before."

"And after that... Does it continue? Will we be together? "

The big red dragon had been watching his children rolling around together in the bottom of the nest but he suddenly started paying a lot of attention to the conversation.

Mavis smiled slyly. "Are you feeling the need to do something as old-fashioned as proposing Cantrell?"

"I am." he said, "If it puts this matter of my loving you and wanting to be with you to rest. I want to marry you. If you are willing. Can you say the same to me?"

There was a huge splash out in the lake. A gout of fire appeared in the sky. A blue dragon was circling low. On its back were two riders. It had to be Lothinar on Candasar. Out in the water, Cantrell could see a water dragon closing on something small and red that was struggling in the water.

"Its Candasar and Lothinar. Probably his new half-elf girlfriend, too!" said Mo-Rung. That's pretty poor timing for you, Cantrell. That's my girl Firestorm in the water. It looks like that Bastard Killingsworth is here too.

The water dragon grabbed up the red dragon which Cantrell now could see was definitely a soaking wet Firestorm. Killingsworth quickly paddled his way over to the nest. He nodded to the three of them as Firestorm jumped off his back and into the nest. She squealed in happiness to discover the new hatchlings there.

"Father!" she said happily. I see they finally hatched!"

"Yes, they did," said Mo-Rung proudly. A pair. A black and a white. It's a great occasion!"

"I flew, did you see? I flew!" yelled Firestorm.

"It looked like you were learning to swim, not fly," laughed Mavis. It's a good thing Killingsworth was there to pull you out. Thank you, Killingsworth." said the pretty female elf.

Everyone looked up and ducked involuntarily as Candasar passed low overhead and landed nearby on the muddy shore. She looked exhausted. Lothinar and Ronni jumped off. Ronni especially looked very happy to finally be on the ground again.

Candasar looked sadly at Killingsworth. "I thought the worst of you," she said. "I am ashamed to admit that I expected you to commit violence on Firestorm. I am sorry."

"We have both come a long way since we fought, and you took my eye." said the large water dragon. "I, too, have many regrets for my ignorant actions. We dragons have a long way to go, and we must all work together!"

"He's on the list, Lothinar! Can we give him wings soon?" asked Firestorm excitedly.

"I didn't know that there even was a list until just now," said Lothinar. "But I have a question of Killingsworth."

"Speak your question. I will answer. You are a dragon friend." said the one-eyed dragon.

"This woman here. Her name is Ronnifalss. She is half-elf and half-human. Do you know any dragons that might be willing to bond with her?"

"Not now, Lothinar!" exclaimed Ronni. "We can ask those kinds of questions later. We need to see about my sister!"

"NOBODY MOVE!" came a shout. Lothinar looked up to see that the shore of the lake on which they were standing was surrounded by dozens of men in armor. They were carrying long spears. They were led by a large, angry-looking man who closed with Lothinar. Another moved to position himself to block Ronni from escaping. Two more approached Cantrell and Mavis, and although they didn't point spears at them, the threat was clear.

"You dragons are free to go. You are, of course, our revered ones. But you elves must come with us. We are in a state of war with the elven kingdom. If you resist, then you will die."

Candasar and Mo-Rung moved to intercept the men, Mo-Rung snarling in outrage. The men pointed their spears...

"STOP!" came a loud feminine shout. It was Ronniflass. "I am the queen's sister. I command you to stop this foolishness. You are about to make a terrible mistake. You will lower your weapons, and you will politely take ALL of us to King Enderline. I will explain everything when we get there!"

The human men looked at her in surprise. They looked at each other. Something passed between them. Their leader took another look at Ronniflass. He squinted a bit, looked again, and then mumbled something to the soldier standing near him.

"Yes, she does look a lot like the queen." the other replied.

"Very well. My apologies, then. Please allow us to 'politely' escort your party to the city. We appreciate your cooperation."

"Firestorm, stay here with Mo-Rung. And this time I really mean it" said Lothinar as the group began to walk toward Della. "If I need you, I will call for you."

The little red dragon nodded. Her eyes were wide again. She dropped back down into the nest with her siblings. Mo-Rung grunted his displeasure but stayed with his children.

Cantrell, along with Mavis, joined Lothinar and Ronniflass as they began to leave the lakeshore. Candasar walked beside them. The group was loosely but politely surrounded by armed human men with spears. Cantrell noticed that some of the men were watching Candasar in amazement. They had not seen many dragons before. How had he become so used to their presence in such a short time? Lothinar was holding Ronni's hand, helping her over the rough terrain. Thank you for speaking up and diffusing that dangerous situation he heard him say to her. She smiled at his praise. Cantrell could tell that she was in love with him. It showed clearly on her face.

In annoyance, Cantrell suddenly realized that he had never gotten an answer to his proposal. He looked over at Mavis. She had been watching him. She met his eyes. "Do you want to hold my hand too, Cantrell?" Then she smiled. "I think I would like that."

He walked closer to her, taking her hand. She leaned in.

"Yes. The answer is yes. I will marry you. But you really need to work on your timing Cantrell."

"Oh, I don't know." He said with a smile. "I can't think of a faster way to get you in front of the priest."

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