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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

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Vanador was saying goodbye. But before leaving, he and Tundor had a few things to discuss.

Tundor, Siophra and Tundor's two blue offspring were standing beside him in the dairy yard.

"I'm surprised Ronni is not here." said Vanador. "She said she wanted to see me off."

He craned his long neck around to take a look.

"Something must have come up."

"I'm sure Ronni appreciates how much you have done around here for her." said Siophra. "You have protected everyone."

"None of Argent's daughters, or their minions dared show up here with you around!" said Tundor.

Vanador sighed.

"Yes, but we don't really know if it was me keeping them away, or the fact that there really are no dragon eggs at the dairy, just baby dragons. The chance to get high quality dragon eggs is probably what prompted them to attack you up in the hills instead of us."

”Cantrell found a magical tracking device in with the dead elves things.” Said Vigilant. “I saw him and Cenderick testing it out. It was attracted to Goldie's shell."

"That is really scary!" said Constance. “If we hadn’t already been hatched when they came, they probably would have tried to take us too”

Tundor growled.

"Now that daddy's bigger, I bet they won't try that again." said Vigilant.

"Daddy can't be everywhere!" said Constance.

"Have there been any reports of other eggs being stolen from the grey dragons living in the wild?" asked Siophra.

"Killingsworth was supposed to be monitoring that, but recent events have obviously changed his priorities." said Vanador.

"I know that you and he got into it physically.” said Tundor.

Vanador shook his head. He looked remorseful.

"It wasn’t really a fight, but I gave him a good shake" the white dragon admitted. “He was being mind controlled by Platinum. There was no other way to stop him.”

Siophra rubbed the back of her head.

“I can tell you that it was a strange feeling to hear that I broke King Enderline’s nose.” Siophra laughed, then looked around nervously. “I don’t remember any of it.”

”He is obviously aware that it wasn’t actually you, but Zinariya at this point. Anyone can see that your eyes have now changed back to their original color.” Said Vanador. “I think if he was going to actually retaliate, then you would already have heard about it.”

“People have held irrational grudges before.” Said Siophra. “But perhaps my perspective on Royalty has been forever ruined by Argent.”

”Enderline is a King, sure.” Said Tundor, “But I get the sense that he’s actually trying hard to be fair. This whole situation can’t be easy for him. Especially when Night-Sky more or less has chosen not to stay with him.”

“At least he and Snow came back the next day to heal his broken nose.” Said Siophra. “Although they did make him wait a day.”

She got a suspicious look on her face.

”That isn’t what’s going on between you and Killingsworth is it?” She asked.

“No, I healed him fully, and immediately afterwards. It's a mystery to me why he hasn't recovered enough to fly. He knows that we could all use his help around here. I suspect that he’s sulking up in the mountains somewhere because he’s embarrassed.”

"Back in the lake, he used to be somebody." said Tundor. "He had very aggressive personality. I wonder if he wanted to take over as some sort of dragon leader again?"

"Things have obviously changed a great deal in the last year or so for Killingsworth.” said Siophra. "It's probably best to get over your resentments."

"I know that I need to let it go." said Tundor. "But its hard when I remember all of them trying to kill me."

"Mommy saved him!" said Constance.

Siophra smiled at the white dragon. She raised one beautiful eyebrow as an inquiry.

"What? I've been telling them stories about their mother. They have been pestering me to know more about her!" Said Tundor.

"She's blue, just like we are!" said Vigilant.

Vanador had been watching the young dragons with a wistful smile.

"You miss Vanquish." said Tundor, noticing his gaze.

“I’m actually pretty jealous of your young family, my friend. Vanquish and I both long for what you have right here in front of you.”

Siophra got an awkward and somewhat sad look on her face.

"Of course he misses her Tundor." said Siophra. "Just like you miss Candasar.”

Vanador looked at Siophra with a sad smile and then looked at Tundor again.

“I’m sure that they both will be back soon.” He finally said.

Siophra reached out to pat Vanador on the shoulder.

“Hopefully by then Zinariya and Ardwella will have finished dealing with the rest of Argent’s daughters.” said the elf.

"Do we have anyone actually looking in this area for elves like the ones that attacked us? asked Tundor.

"Mo-Rung has been taking over since Killingsworth stopped doing it." said Vanador.

"How is he doing, keeping track of things out in the hills?

"He and his children, Salt and Pepper, have been flying all over the place. They are helping him and increasing their range at the same time.”

”If you go out flying around on patrol, can we come along father?” Asked Vigilant. “I think that I would enjoy that!”

”Sure, we can start over at the lake and work out from there. I can even show you where your mom made her secret cave.”

”Oooh! Will we be able to go inside?”

Tundor smiled at his excitable son.

”No, not right now at least. I’d never fit, and I’m going to have to teach you and your sister to swim first.”

”It would probably be good for you to patrol the area around the lake first anyway “ said Vanador. Mo-Rung says he knows the mountain area well, but he hasn't really lived at the lake for many years. Of those dragons that still live near the water, Killingsworth was actually better at knowing who the various family groupings are, He was also pretty good at following up on them.”

The white dragon sighed.

”Mo-Rung hasn't reported any problems with egg theft at the lake, though." He said. “Of course I’m not that far away.”

Tundor thought about it.

“The dragons that still live on the lake shore. What are they eating?” asked Tundor.

”Believe it or not, fish!”

“Did Lothinar fail to change them back into real dragons?” Asked Tundor. “I probably could catch a few fish if I was starving. But even when I was a lot smaller, that type of diet is almost impossible to maintain without flippers.”

”They actually got some help from some of the townspeople. They provided them with nets.”

’You’re kidding me!” Said Tundor in disbelief, trying to imagine swimming around with the edge of a fishing net clamped between his jaws.

”No, actually I’m not. They swim out in teams, spread out, and then drag in the nets. I actually watched them for a while one morning.”

Tundor could only shake his head.

“This I’ve got to see.” He finally said.

"Did you know many of the grey dragon families Tundor?" Asked Siophra.

"Not really, Just my own really. I was pretty much a shut in. I was being hidden. Ironically from Killingsworth and his cronies on the council." said Tundor.

Vanador gave Tundor an appraising gaze.

"You know Tundor, now that you bigger than practically everyone else, some dragons will expect you to bully them,”

”You mean just like the lake dragon council members did to me?”

”Well, you were an extreme case, but I would be willing to bet that they bullied others too.’

Tundor nodded. "Candasar had a terrible time."

"You can use your size to bully and control people, or you can use it show mercy."

"I understand the first part of that. I'm not so sure about the second part." said Tundor.

"Sometimes when someone of normal size is kind, people perceive that as weakness. Then they try to dominate them.”

”You are saying that I can afford to be kind now, because I’m too big to have to worry about that happening to me?”

”That's been my experience, yes.” Said Vanador.

”Do you feel that I have been unkind to anyone in particular?”

The older dragon gave him a crooked smile.

“Just keep it in mind when you have to deal with your old bullies at the lake. I heard about you and Candasar dropping your feces on Killingsworth and Benedar.”

”Oh that!” Said Tundor blushing.

”Oh Tundor!” Said Siophra putting her hand over her mouth.

“What’s a feces?” Asked Constance innocently.

”It’s poo!” Said Vigilant to his sister. “I heard Cinnabar using that term yesterday. I asked him what it meant.”

‘Tundor made a strange coughing noise.

“I concede your point, Vanador. That was a valid example of not showing forgiveness. Kids! You should never do that!”

”So, no new attacks or attempts made to steal dragon eggs since the one on us?” Asked Siophra trying to save Tundor by changing the subject.

"No, Perhaps they are focusing their efforts on rousting Mandel from his fortress." said Vanador.. "Mavis told Mo-Rung that attacks have been steadily increasing since Esmarilla is no longer patrolling the walls."

He further explained.

"The enemy has made some huge crossbows. They call them ballistae. They don't want to risk Esmarilla flying low over the city anymore. They can’t let her get hit by one of those huge bolts. That’s why I need to be there very soon. In case she needs healing.”

“I hope I can do as good a job here as you did” said Tundor.

“My only real regret was Platinum. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Zinariya explained what happened. It was surreal hearing her describe how she did it."

"Removing someone's brain is a pretty sure way to kill them." said Tundor.

"Yes, of course. I understand that. The surreal part was having Zinariya using Platinum’s mouth be the instrument with which she told me about it." said Vanador.

”And now Zinariya has hopped into another elf. This time, my Sister.”

“What actually happened to Platinum’s body? Asked Siophra. “I saw you carrying it off somewhere Vanador.”

”Well, a dead dragon laying about does generate a lot of difficult questions.” Said Vanador. “So I quickly took it over to the temple. I’ve found that I can usually count on their discretion in delicate matters.”

Vanador seemed to want to ask a question, but hesitated. Finally he spoke.

”Do you think that your daughter is going to want that body back Tundor?"

”Isn’t that body immediately going to start to deteriorate, now that Zinariya isn’t keeping it alive? Tundor asked.

”Well, of course, normally it would, but I threw a preservation spell on it.” Said Vanador. “I wasn’t really sure about how it was going to work out with her using Ardwella’s body and how long she was going to need it.”

””You can do that?” Asked Tundor in amazement.

”Sure” said the dragon. “I made sure to heal the body to good condition then locked in the freshness with that same spell Siophra used on me when she made me into a statue so long ago. She’s not really still alive of course, but the body isn’t actually dead. It could be re-occupied."

Siophra was just standing there with her mouth hanging open.

”I would have never thought of that” she finally said.

Actually, a couple of the temple workers posed her before I locked her down. She isn’t just lying there in a pile with her legs sticking out at all angles. Originally she looked like she was peacefully sleeping."

Vanador looked a bit embarrassed.

"I think one of the temple workers actually does side work as a taxidermist. She asked if she could pose her more aggressively, so I let her. She looks great! I could never have done such a nice job." said Vanador.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

”What’s a taxidermist?” Insisted Vigilant.

Tundor shushed him.

”You know,” said Vanador, “they actually asked me if they could place her in the same spot as Esmarilla used to sit. They miss having a dragon statue in the place. Do you think that would be all right, or is it too demeaning?”

Siophra grinned.

“I believe, somehow, that Platinum would appreciate all the attention.”

”Great, now I won’t have to ask them to put her in a closet somewhere like Starett the priest.”

”We still have someone frozen in suspension somewhere?” Asked Siophra.

”Of course. Starett is in Ardwella’s office closet. Then there are a bunch of Argent’s personal guard that we captured that didn’t surrender with Myron. They are in one of the big storage rooms. I’m told that they were rather difficult to stack. It’s going to be a right mess when we have to unfreeze them someday.”

”Out of sight and out of mind. I guess.” said Siophra.”What was my sister thinking?”

”I suppose that she has had a lot on her mind.” Said Tundor.

"I've keep my sister Esmarilla waiting long enough." said the second biggest white dragon on the field. "Tundor can now do everything I was doing and probably more around here. His children seem to be fitting in here as well."

"Before you go, Vanador, I'm a little concerned about the cow count" said Vigilant. "I've been watching it steadily go down every day!"

"You certainly pay attention to things" said Vanador. "And you're right. We are going to need to do something about that."

"It will probably be alright" said Siophra. "The little dragons are growing. Soon they will be solid flyers and we can start taking them on longer trips. We can teach them to hunt bigger animals too."

"The majority of the deer are pretty far out now" said Vanador. "I've been keeping track of that as well. Don't forget we have a whole tribe of grays out there eating at least one a day."

"I wish Cenderick was around." said Siophra. "I'm sure he knows a great deal about the eco-system in these hills. I suppose it's going to take years to recover, even once the dragon tribes spread out."

"The area just can't support this many dragons" said Tundor. "We are fine for now, but I'm really hoping Lothinar gets back soon. He knows about eco-systems too."

"You are just missing your sweetie!" said Vanador. "I have to confess I'm missing mine too!"

"I bet you don't call Vanquish 'sweetie' to her face." said Tundor.

"Oh, yes I do." said Vanador. "Now I'm going off to the Capitol and I'm probably going to miss her getting back. Let her know where I am please. I'm hoping she will join me there soon."

"Keep your eyes on the kiddos" said Vanador as he trotted out and lifted into the air.

Tundor turned to look at Siophra and saw that she was crying.

"Oh," he said.

"No, No, Tundor, it's not that. I'm just thinking about all that dragon has done for me. He never even really wanted to be bonded to anyone in the first place."

"He was forced to bond against his will?"

"Not with my grandfather's sword, no. I convinced him to bond with me in the traditional way. Remember that Argent wanted to claim him. That's why he always had such an obsession with you."

"Because I'm a white dragon too?"

"Of course."

"We thought that if we could just make Argent understand that Vanador was taken, off the table so to speak."

"I understand. So that's why you went to see Argent. To show him that Vanador was no longer available."

"You can only imagine how that went." said Siophra. "He locked me up. He was so angry!"

"Then you had to invoke the suspension spell."

"To keep us both alive! It might have better if I had just let Argent kill me. Then it's possible Vanador could have escaped."

"But he didn't."

"No he stuck with me. Frozen as a statue. It was for a very long time Tundor."

"I plan on sticking with you too!" said the white dragon.

"Yes, but you had a choice. He was just frozen there with birds shitting on him!"

"I don't think he holds any of that against you Siophra." said Tundor. "Very soon, he and Vanquish are going to fly off into the sunset somewhere. They will finally get some quality time together."

"Are they going to make more dragon babies" interrupted Constance.

"I sure hope so." said Tundor.

Siophra seemed to suddenly shrug off her melancholy.

"Vigilant! Thank you for reminding me about the cows. We are going to need to buy some more." she said.

"I'm sure that there is a process for that. There have to be some other people that have some to buy. Ronni will know." said Tundor.

"Now we just need to figure out where Ronni and Cenderick have gone."

"I haven't seen them in quite a while" said Vigilant.

Did Cinnabar know what Ronniflass has been doing lately?”

”He didn’t tell me anything specific except that Ronni was trying to do doing something with a quilt.”

”Did she go back up to the house?”

”I believe so, apparently Cenderick accompanied her. For safety, I suppose.”

"Oh!" said Siophra. "You don't think that they...."

"Wasn't he waiting for you?" asked Tundor. "I think he told Cantrell something like that on the way over here."

"Yea, I'm pretty sure he was, but I have already put him off several times. I really couldn't blame him he finally moved on. He deserves better."

"I can unequivocally say that there is nobody better than you Siophra." said Tundor. "Besides Ronni was waiting for Lothinar to come back."

"I'm damaged goods Tundor. I'm sorry but it's going to be a very long time before I get over what I went through. Perhaps both Ronniflass and Cendrick grew tired of waiting.... together...."

"You know, I don't really think Lothinar would mind if she found happiness with Cenderick. Unfortunately, I really think his heart belonged to Ardwynn. It still may."

"I'm Jealous. I long for that kind of relationship. But something in my mind keeps telling me that no one will ever love me that deeply."

"There is someone out there. Someone great!"

"Right now the problem isn't really finding him, it's fixing me. If I found him now, I wouldn't be ready." said Siophra.

"I'd like to help. What do you need? We will figure it out." said Tundor.

"I'd like to say it's just time, but I'm not sure anymore. I should probably go talk to my sister Muina. She went through some terrible things as well. In fact it was the same terrible person that did them. We do have that in common."

"Ardwella's gone. Maybe she would like some company" said Tundor. "Come on kids! We are going on a short trip. It's just down the lake."

Siophra climbed on.

"Rats, I didn't bring appropriate dragon riding clothes." she said.

"it's a very short trip. I'll be extra gentle." said Tundor.

"Thanks Tundor!"

It took almost no time to fly Siophra down the lake to all three of the sisters ancestral home. Muina met Siophra at the door.

”Are you finally ready to talk with me about Argent?” Asked Muina.

Siophra could only nod.

”Come in then. I’ll make us some pine needle tea.”

The two elves closed the door leaving the three dragons standing in the yard. It didn’t really matter that Tundor was outside. He could feel Siophra beginning to open the rusty vault that held all that hidden pain. He doubled down on his feelings of love for the beautiful blonde elf. He sent his affirmations into her. She drank them all, it was like pouring water into the desert. As Tundor continued transmitting his love, he spoke with his children.

”How about while we wait I tell you some more stories about your mom” he asked.

Both his children immediately plopped down right in front of him, already spellbound. So much, in fact that even Vigilant didn’t notice the grey dragon flying towards the house. Suddenly the incoming dragon seemed to take notice of Tundor and quickly turned around. Tundor continued telling his children how he and their mother had fought the water dragon council outside her cave.

He told the children all their names.

”Just in case you happen to meet one of them, someday “ he said. “You will know what to expect.”

----------------------------

"Just finish it then!" yelled Killingsworth. He continued to thrash and flail, obviously in agony, as he tried to make his way forward to get close to Albarad. The Elf stepped back hastily as the large grey dragon made a substantial lunge forward.

"What is wrong with you? Are you insane?" asked Night-Sky with incredulity in his voice.

"If I give up now, then it's all for nothing!" panted the dragon. "We've come so far!"

"What are you talking about?" asked Albarad.

"Of all people, you should know what I'm talking about" groaned Killingsworth. "The spell that burns! That spell and everyone that knows it must be destroyed!"

"Look," said Night-Sky. A spell is just a spell. Think of it like a sword. It can be used to protect or to kill, Who has it, and what they intend to do with it is what matters. Muina used that spell only after she was attacked. She didn't head out here to kill dragons with it."

"She killed Penelope too." hissed the dragon clenching his jaws in pain.

"Killingsworth, I'm sorry. I agree with Night-Sky. It was self defense. Rolf started the whole thing by killing my horse. That was on purpose, then when we tried to talk to him he attacked us. Penelope tried to run, but a mistake was made. Muina acted too hastily, We should have let her go, but we were both grieving and terrified."

"She was probably grieving and terrified too! You killed her friend. Of course she tried to run. Then you shot her out of the sky!"

Albarad pursed his lips.

"Yes, unfortunately we did."

Night-Sky spoke up.

"Killingsworth, you must realize that Muina was previously bonded. She was bonded to Vanquish. Do you know who that dragon is?"

"Of course..." mumbled the grey.

"How is Vanquish going to take it if you insist on destroying her friend and previous bond? Do you think you will survive that?

"I'm sure she won't be happy, but I think she would understand. I would imagine that Vanquish would have her own issues with having that fire spell out there, being used. Even a dragon as big as she is, would probably not be immune to that spell. It might even be more dangerous in her case, since it draws on her own substantial fire magic." said Killingsworth.

"Do you think Vanquish trusts Muina?"

"She probably used to. But If she does now, then she probably shouldn't!"

"Why not?" asked Albarad.

"Because she used the spell and then lied to me about it."

Night-Sky suddenly looked in Snow’s direction. She seemed to be concentrating on Killingsworth.

"No! Not yet!" said Night Sky suddenly.

"What is it?" asked Albarad with concern.

"Sorry, I was just talking to my sister."

"Are. you arguing?" the elf asked.

"Snow wants to heal the grey. She no longer wishes to be responsible for the dragon's pain.”

Heirwynn walked over and looked Night-Sky right in the eyes.

“Please, Night-Sky.” I can strongly sense how terrible this makes her feel, to misuse her healing powers this way. You are clearly in the talking stages now." said Heirwynn.

"Fine! But if he kills the elf, it won't be on my conscience." replied Night-Sky.

Killingsworth suddenly groaned a great sigh of relief. He lifted his head and began tentatively moving his body.

Albarad moved back a few more paces.

Killingsworth chuckled morosely.

”Relax elf. I lost my temper earlier. I will not kill you. You were not the spell user, in spite of somehow being strangely complicit in the matter, since I know that you are Ardwella’s husband and Lothinar’s father.”

The grey dragon paused. It appeared to be searching for something in his face.

"I have to admit, this seems strange to me. I understand that your own wife killed every other one of them to protect dragons from something like this.”

Albarad didn’t even know what to say to that. He remained grim faced and silent. He almost considered attempting to cast the Dragon Fire spell on Killingsworth, but didn’t know what kind of terrible effects that might inflict on Snow and Night-Sky. It just wasn’t worth taking the chance. He also suddenly realized that he didn’t know if he could actually cast it. Although he had thought about using it on Platinum, he wasn’t that much of a magician.

“You have nothing to say about that elf?” Asked ‘Killingsworth.

Albarad shook his head.

"The primary guilty party is not even here. I'm wasting my time arguing about this with you!”

”I’m telling you to let this go!” Said Night-Sky. “It won’t bring Penelope back.”

”What about the next time? The next Penelope?” Shouted Killingsworth. “I told Enderline about this. That just got my wings clipped.”

Snow winced.

”What is your system of government elf?" asked the grey dragon, slowly and gingerly climbing to his feet. "

"We have an Emperor." said Albarad. “Or, rather, we used to.”

"I know that your old Emperor was Argent the egg stealer. I also realize that he is dead. Who has replaced him?

"I believe that the elves are still fighting about that." said Night-Sky, looking at Albarad for confirmation.

”You are correct, Night-Sky,” replied Albarad. “The order of succession is still somewhat in dispute”

”Argent’s children fighting over the throne probably should not come as much of a surprise,” said Killingsworth. The he laughed bitterly before continuing.

"There must be someone. Who can I take these grievances to? How can I appeal for justice?" He asked.

Albarad paused.

"Um, well, it’s rather complicated and something that you’re not going to like. Muina's son Mandel is probably going to be the next emperor. Not that he wouldn't be sympathetic in principle. I just can't really see him doing something to severely punish his own mother. At least you would be heard. Who knows, he might surprise me. Maybe he will try to lock her up that awful tower."

Night-Sky looked at Albarad.

"You can't be serious!" he said. "You would never allow that." said the black dragon.

"It would make things awkward." said Albarad trying to find a smile. “I might have to move to the Capitol.”

"If Mandel is biased." said Killingsworth. "Someone else must step in. Is there no-one else with which I may speak? You said the government was still in dispute."

"That's not going to be much help either, I'm afraid. The dispute for control is with Argent's daughters. They want to rule instead of Mandel. You really don't want to talk to them. They will probably kill you before you have a chance to speak." said Albarad.

"Then I shall perish trying. I will have Justice!" The dragon yelled jumping into the sky.

"Snow! I told you just to restore his legs, not give him his wings back!"

The small white dragon shrugged.

"It seems like Argent’s daughters might solve this problem for you anyway," said a small squeaky voice.

Heirwynn blinked in surprise.

"Snow! I'm so proud of you. You used your voice! You spoke out loud!"

"Thank you for standing up for me Heirwynn." she said. She looked at her brother with a scowl.

"I know you mean well brother, but you can be really mean."

"You are just kidding yourself if you think that this world is a kind place." Night-Sky said. "It’s dragon eat dragon out here. Especially out in the wilderness like this."

Snow grimaced.

"Are dragons known to be cannibalistic?" asked Heirwynn with a look of disgust on her face.

Albarad looked at Night-Sky. When the black dragon didn't reply, he tried taking a broader approach to the answer.

"It is known to happens with other species, especially the strictly carnivorous ones. Dragons have culture and intelligence going for them. They tend to work together, rather than against each other.”

"Perhaps I should have borrowed a more civilized turn of phrase from you elves." said Night Sky. "Like stab each other in the back or every elf for himself!"

Albarad nodded in agreement.

"Your right about that. We elves have a long history of fighting among ourselves. Our current conflict is proof of that. I've heard the phrase used by humans too, Heirwynn. Humans are obviously not immune to fighting among their own kind."

”I know that. I wasn’t born yesterday.” Said Heirwynn.

Albarad laughed.

”Well, from an elven perspective, you actually almost were. You are practically the same age as my other daughter.”

Heirwynn looked confused.

“But she’s just a baby.”

“She will catch up to you very quickly.”

“You consider me to be your daughter? Like Charity?”

”Yes I do.” Said Albarad.

Heirwynn beamed happily.

”I’ve got a sister!”

“I rather like your sweet dragon friend too.” Said Albarad looking at Snow.

The little white dragon squirmed happily.

”Well, you’re more than likely stuck with us.” Said Night-Sky.

”I was talking about Snow. I’ve got quite a different attitude about you Night-Sky. You remind me too much of Esmarilla.”

The small black dragon blinked,

Then Albarad grinned at him.

”You realize that I’m teasing you don’t you?” Said the elf. “Thank you, by the way for stopping Killingsworth’s charge.”

Night-Sky looked smugly at Snow.

”Well, that’s a relief.” Said Night-Sky. “I rather like you too Albarad. In fact I like you a lot. You may call me Night. Have you ever thought of bonding?”

”No. Not happening.”

The dragon looked disappointed.

Albarad laughed.

”It’s not you, it’s me” he said. “But if you and Enderline ever decide to break up you should probably talk to Mandel.”

Heirwynn blushed.

“I’d like to meet him too.”she said. “If he’s anything like his father.”

Albarad gave her an appraising look.

”That secret was being kept to improve Mandel’s chances at a peaceful succession. I suppose that there is no harm in it coming out now.”

”Your relationship with Muina kind of made that obvious. At least to us,” said Night.

”I wouldn’t be opposed to that, But traveling to the elven Capitol right now is very dangerous.”

”Killingsworth should have let this go. It is very possible he won’t survive the trip” said Night-Sky.

"Unfortunately, even if he does, Argent’s daughters are not going to care about dragon justice." said Albarad.

"No, but they may learn that a copy of the dragon burning spell still exists." said Night-Sky. "They are going to want that!"

'It doesn't exist. Muina destroyed it."

"There are ways to pull it from her mind." said Night-Sky softly. “I’ve heard that the process is not pleasant.”

"Well then, we need to finish this up and hurry back. We need to be there to protect her."

"I wonder why Killingsworth seems to be taking this all so personally?" asked Albarad.

"You didn't know? Asked Night-Sky. “Penelope was his grand-daughter."

Albarad suddenly got very busy burying Penelope's burned bones.

Killingsworth intended to wing his way toward the Capitol, but first he flew by the lake. Reveling in his restored mobility he dropped in and washed off the dust. Then he stopped by the dairy and grabbed a cow, eating it on the spot. He didn't even ask permission. There were only small dragons around anyway, at least at the moment. He hungrily devoured his first real meal in days. Nobody stopped him.

He considered Muina, sitting in her house just a few minutes away. He thought about her lies. He thought about his grand daughter. He grew angrier. In spite of all she had done to bring down Argent, and In spite of the fact that she might actually try to use that cursed spell on him, he decided that he was going to try to kill the female elf again.

As Killingsworth approached the house, however he saw something that really terrified him. It was his old nemesis Tundor! He was sitting in the front yard, obviously guarding the place. He’d gotten huge. Killingsworth wondered how he had gotten so big, so fast. If Killingsworth was bigger he wouldn’t need to worry about losing another fight against anyone again!” Reluctantly he turned away. The lying elf would not die today.

He would be back eventually. Killingsworth wasn't exactly sure where the dead emperor's daughters lived, but was going to find them. He would do whatever it took. Penelope would be avenged.

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