I decided to go on ahead a little to scout out, and heard a roar which made me grip the reins of my forsa as tight as the knot in my stomach. It sounded familiar, so kicked the creature and the two bolted back to him moments later. ‘I heard something.’

He forced himself to focus but his ringing ears were making it difficult. Another roar made him realize it was a skin-snatcher. He went to a tree and gripped the branch but his hand was too weak and he fell back to the ground. It was beyond enough- the beast shot toward him like lightning! ‘Damn it!’ He groaned on standing and his body igniting into white light! He quickly formed a bow and shot an arrow, and the creature disintegrated. Dizzy he stumbled, ‘we have to be close by now!’ Sweat dripped from his temple. Another roar. ‘What was that?’ I squeaked.

‘A dragon call.’ His voice rung with relief and once standing they ventured on!

He pushed through thick bracken to reveal a deep canyon filled with every size, shape and colour of dragon! My jaw slackened at the view. It reminded me of an anthill from the utter amount of the beasts, scales dazzling in the light of the setting sun which cast the entire sky orange. ‘We’re going down there?!’

‘We are.’

‘They’re dragons!’

‘They won’t hurt you, they’re intelligent creatures.’

‘Maybe I can…’ I realized his bag, cloak, everything, was gone, apart from a few pockets but one could not fit me and the gerso in.

‘You’ll be okay. You’ve got me.’

‘What if they go wild?!’

‘My presence should calm-.’ Suddenly a dragon burst into view, its white, razor teeth and blazing red eyes filled Thatcher’s vision!

‘Corrupt one.’ It uttered before drawing its head back, lava collecting in the back of its throat. ‘I could feel your sickness approach.’

Thatcher burst into white starlight ‘is that any way to address a God?’ Like it was a suit one would wear to meet formal company. The black mark on his chest was all the more clear. Every dragon turned to the God, made aware of the divine presence so close to them, my skin crawled to have so many trained eyes.

It lowered its head, but the gargle of attack remained in its throat, ‘What entity could damage one such as you?’

His form flickered away and he was forced to catch his breath. His face reddened slightly, it was humiliating for him to be so inferior. ‘A madman who is stealing the blood of divine-worshippers, in doing so he’s stealing the Gods own power.’

‘This… is concerning. Unheard of, God. We will speak more on the matter.’ Its grand head turned to my tiny one. ‘What is this?’

My stomach dropped as deep as the canyon.

‘A fae, it’s her people being taken.’

‘An Earth Fae.’ The dragons’ eyes dilated in sudden realization. ‘This felden is taking Fate-worshippers?’

‘You see the danger.’

‘Terribly so. Come with me, and we can speak further about this threat.’

‘That’s what I was hoping to hear.’ Thatcher extended a hand for me.

‘What about Forta?’ I asked.

‘She’ll be fine, and we can find her when we come back.’

‘…Okay.’ I released the reins and climbed onto his cold hand before asked how they were going to get down. ‘Just in case…’ I released the reins and saddle, kissed the creatures’ nose and drew an Itha-Shaw symbol on its forehead. ‘Goodbye.’

The dragon jumped off the side and glided down to the lowest point.

‘I wouldn’t worry about that. But I don’t have the energy to walk all the way down.’ He gulped as slight terror clung to his features as much as the sweat. He cupped me in his hands so only a few cracks of fading sunlight cut through. To my shock his body turned white. It was a very strange feeling, almost magnetic and calming. Then he jumped! ‘THATCHER!’ I screamed as we plummeted! His own eyes were shut- he hated heights. Feeling weightless as if my stomach was flung into my throat, I forced myself to not scream. I hit down into his palm… and it was over. He removed his other hand so I could see their surrounds of vivid green against black rock, magma oozed out of cracks. We had dropped a near mountains height. With his spare hand he covered his mouth- then swallowed. ‘Ugh, I hate heights…’ He groaned before placing me on his shoulder.

‘Are you okay?’ I whispered.

‘My Starlight form is very strong, I’m fine.’ He swayed. ‘But it’ll be hard getting used to this.’ He hit the mark on his chest. He didn’t bother to hide it, the dragons knew of his newfound weakness if it was visible or not. ‘While I’m discussing tactics with the Elder you can wander free. You’ve been around me so long the dragons will sense it, and leave you be.’

‘I don’t want to be left alone here.’

He pointed to a cave opening I could see the great dragon through the fire and plants which covered it. ‘I’ll be right in there. Don’t worry I won’t be long and if you need me desperately just pray, I’ll always be able to hear you.’ He smiled weakly before going to step away.

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I gripped his finger. ‘Let me come with you. I’m a queen, I understand negotiations.’

He thought back to the Fae Federation… he used his own force when talking would’ve worked... at the very least perhaps involving the fae might have shifted events. No, he wouldn’t think like that, life was too unpredictable to have regrets. But he wouldn’t make such a mistake again.

‘You’re right. You’re a diplomat, and you’ll be more effective than me.’ He offered a hand and I hurried on.

A great hall designed by dragons. I was in awe while Thatcher seemed disinterested. His view from the stars must’ve been indescribable if he didn’t care for emerald vines cling to dark stone to bloom bright flowers. Glittering gems were scattered about as golden perches for the dragons were perched around the grand room, sunlight streaming through the hole in the ceiling. A mighty dragon took its place on a golden perch, smooth from the countless years of holding the dragons’ body, so much so it was shaped perfectly to its contours. Thatcher and fairy stood in the shaft of sunlight streaming down so every dragon had view of them.

‘This is incredible…’ My jaw slacked in awe of the sights.

‘This is nothing compared to my views…’ Thatcher whispered with an air of smugness. ‘But this won’t be like what you’re expecting.’

‘How so?’

‘Dragons communicate in a different way when dealing with more important matters. Just… breathe through it, you’ll be fine.’

‘What-?’

‘The council has been gathered.’ The largest dragon announced, scales blood red, eyes golden.

Suddenly a wave of dizziness overtook me. Thatcher informed it was a truth telling spell, forcing every member present to be unable to act deceitfully.

‘Thea of the Fae, what do you plead for?’

I took a shaky breath. ‘Help.’ Words flowed from my mouth like a gust of wind, unable to stop the truth from tumbling out. ‘My people are being killed by a felden who stole them, using their blood as power for… magic.’ A growl rumbled through the cave. ‘To stop him the Fae require greater help, the help of a dragon. He is already strong, but with the potential of God-blood there is no telling how far he can take such strength… we must act quickly-.’

The largest, golden, dragon opened its jaws ‘you have already tried to kill this god-imposter, but having failed strengthened him? You come to us now on your knees begging for us to correct your mistakes?’

Another hissed ‘we are not reserves of strength to be used at your will.’

A green dragons claws cut into stone ‘if the Gods creates this problem then they should fix it!’

My voice began to drown out against the wall of theirs. Clenching my jaw as tight as my fists I walked forward to the center of the beam of light and folded my hands together in front of her, With sharp eyes I gazed at the red dragon which was not making eye contact, ‘are you finished prattling, lizards?!’ my voice cut through the rest like water to worn stone.

I could sense Thatcher tense slightly- they hated that word.

‘LIZARD?!’ The red dragons’ eyes bore into mine with suffocating weight.

‘Lizards are what you are becoming if you hiss like that.’

Thatcher covered his mouth with a hand, eyes widened.

‘You come here and DARE-!’

‘I come here for dragons and I get prattling lizards?!’ I held the beasts’ eye contact, even when heart thudded like someone being buried alive and beating against the coffin lid. ‘Your blood will make great powers if you ignore me now and if you are as great as you say you will listen and speak one at a time! I’ve have come too far for too long to not be heard now! Because I am scared, not just for my people, for everything we know. Now is not the time for pride. This snatcher has been ignored for too long and now he no longer can be. The Gods will not sort this mess out because that is the Folly of the Gods. They don’t belong here, they watch from afar and they lose nothing in its fire, they won’t even feel the heat. We have everything to agonize over. If he does have Gods blood, then everyone should be very scared. We must be united against this threat, and for your aid the fae will grant the dragons a luxury. This is a negotiation after all…’

There was loud bickering as the dragons discussed everything.

‘The fae are small creatures, but resourceful, and with time they will be obedient. Your people will join this clan as slaves…’ The red dragon hissed the final word like it was its final breath.

‘Slaves…?’

‘Yes.’

‘But, we’re so small what could we do to help you?’

‘Small but useful, you are skilled builders, an ability we lack. Your people will craft new nests for us, a new utopia.’

‘That’ll take… years, and years and years!’

‘Your people will be ours forever they will have time to complete their works. If they refuse, every fae forest will BURN!’

I clenched my fists as breath escaped me. ‘… Fine.’ The cold word escaped my lips as my voice broke. ‘On the condition you stop him. Kill him. No loopholes. Deal?’

‘Yesssss, a deal has been struck!’