Quilla placed a hand on her chest, just under her neck. She still felt naked without Garet’s locket there. It had never turned up. Dyle hadn’t had it, nor to the best of her knowledge any of the other Darkers she’d spent any time with. She’d enquired about all the other Darkers in the Palace arrested due to Barnol Friaz’s list. No locket matching the description of hers had been found with any of them. It had simply vanished.

She could have used it now. It always helped calm her down when she was anxious, nervous, angry, or sad. All she could do now was pace—which, admittedly, she did with the locket too, but she was reasonably certain she did less of it. Of course, if Garet were around, she wouldn’t do any pacing at all. But Garet was never going to be around again.

She forced herself to stop pacing, not far from where Rudiger was sitting along the wall, underneath the portrait of some former Royal Quilla couldn’t care less about. Rudiger was slumped over, his head hanging low.

It had been a week since Zandrue and Dyle had vanished. They could have ended up anywhere—the other side of the world even for all anyone knew. Quilla had no doubt Zandrue could take care of herself, and she was probably still alive, but it could be a long time before she made her way back here.

Rudiger knew that too, but he was understandably upset. Not knowing for sure whether she was dead or alive couldn’t be much different from knowing Garet was dead.

“They’re almost ready for you,” the herald by the throne room doors said.

Rudiger stood up and offered his arm. “You ready for this?”

Quilla took the arm. “Ready.” She wasn’t really. She wasn’t ready at all. She was not convinced the Queen would actually be civil with her, regardless of whatever promises she might have made previously.

The herald reached for the door handle as two Palace guards took up positions behind Quilla and Rudiger. The herald opened the doors, and stepped in and to the side. “Lord Rudiger Fonivan and Quilla Steranovist!”

Quilla forced a smile and entered with Rudiger.

The throne room wasn’t packed, but there were a large number of people there nonetheless—courtiers and visiting nobles who had come in from Arnor City or across from Beldrum or even farther. The Royal family waited at the front, Gabriella and Pastrin to one side of the steps, Annai and Thilin to the other. Prince Malef stood back, away from Annai and Thilin. Quilla wished Cerus was here. He would want to see this, not be stuck in Lockanith, but at least Gabriella was here.

She and Rudiger walked to the bottom of the dais where the King and Queen sat in their thrones. They unlinked arms, Rudiger bowed, and Quilla curtsied.

The King nodded to Rudiger. “Welcome, my Lord.” He nodded to Quilla. “Miss Steranovist.” He stood up and came forward, holding out his hands. “My friends.”

Rudiger clasped one of the King’s hands, while Quilla clasped the other.

The King then motioned for them to turn around, and addressed the room. “My Lords and Ladies, we are here today for two reasons: one joyous, one considerably less so. As you no doubt know, we recently uncovered a group of Darkness Worshippers operating from within the Palace itself. We have only limited time, so I will not go into all the details of how these people were uncovered, tracked down, and arrested. However, I will say that these two people before you were instrumental in making all that possible, along with the Lady Zandromeda Armida, who was unfortunately lost in the fight to bring the Darkness Worshippers to justice. In particular, Quilla Steranovist risked her life and reputation to infiltrate the Darkness Worshippers. Without this courageous act, we would not have prevailed. As such, we gather here today to pay our respects to both these people here in front of you, and to reward them suitably.”

He gestured to Rudiger. “The Queen and I awarded Lord Rudiger Fonivan and Lady Zandromeda in private at an earlier time, but we would now like to make that public. I personally awarded them both with noble titles, so I now present to you, Lord Rudiger Fonivan.”

Applause and even a few cheers erupted around the room. Gabby, Pastrin, and Ned were amongst the most enthusiastic, but even Annai was amongst them. Quilla joined in.

The King allowed the applause to continue for a short time, then motioned for quiet. “It is also my pleasure to announce that the Queen and I will be personally funding the wedding of Lord Fonivan and Lady Armida, which will take place once Lady Armida has been found and returned safely, which is something we all pray the gods will deliver.”

There was more applause, which the King once again allowed to continue for a short time.

When the room had quietened down again, the King said, “At the time the noble titles were awarded, however, Miss Steranovist was still working undercover amidst the Darkness Worshippers. It is therefore my pleasure to award her at this time in front of you all. Miss Steranovist—Quilla—please face me and kneel.”

Quilla turned and lowered herself to her knees, which wasn’t the easiest thing in the gown she was wearing. Her heart was beating fast. She didn’t really want this—not without Garet—but she felt it was important nonetheless. Not because it was some sort of victory over the Queen—although that was nice—but important to honour Garet. He was probably looking down on her from heaven right now, smiling and laughing, ever so proud of her.

Tears ran down her cheeks.

A courtier approached, holding up a sheathed sword. The King drew the sword and lowered the flat to Quilla’s shoulder. “Quilla Steranovist, I bestow upon you the title of noble of Arnor, and with it all the rights and privileges of the nobility.” He raised the sword and lowered it to her other shoulder. Then he sheathed the sword and the courtier carried it away.

At a motion from the King, Quilla rose, and he kissed each of her cheeks.

“My Lords and Ladies, I present you Lady Quilla Steranovist.”

“Woo!” Gabby yelled, and Ned joined in.

Applause spread through the room, though it was much more reserved than what Rudiger had received. That wasn’t surprising. Quilla curtsied to the room anyway. Rudiger hugged her.

The King allowed the applause to die out, then spoke. “We have one final act to perform before we move on to today’s less pleasant activity. I turn things over to my beloved wife, your Queen.”

The Queen rose. She and the King kissed lightly as he returned to his throne. Then she came forward, and took a deep breath. “My Lords and Ladies.” She paused and took another deep breath.

The room was silent.

“My Lords and Ladies,” the Queen repeated, “I have never been fond of Lady Steranovist. As you know, she was engaged to wed Prince Garet, and I was always opposed to that engagement. I am ashamed to admit I said many terrible and cruel things to Lady Steranovist, and I treated her quite abominably. For that, I…” She stopped again, and closed her eyes for a moment. “For that, I owe her an apology.” She turned to Quilla and held out her hands.

Quilla looked at the offered hands and hesitated. She didn’t really believe the Queen was truly repentant. She was just trying to save face. Still, refusing to accept the apology would just ally most of the people in the room with the Queen against her.

Quilla took the Queen’s hands.

“My Lady.” The Queen’s lips curled slightly at the utterance of the words. “I offer you my heartfelt apology for all the injustices I have ever caused you. I was wrong, and I know that now. Please forgive me.”

What a load of bullshit.

Quilla wished she could say that, and part of her was tempted to do so anyway, but she pushed the thought aside. “Apology accepted, your Majesty.”

The Queen smiled, leaned forward, and kissed Quilla’s cheeks.

Gabby cheered, and there was some applause across the room.

Then the Queen returned to her throne.

The King rose again. “I have one final thing to say. Lady Steranovist, my son, Garet, loved you dearly, and wanted nothing more than to marry you and spend his life with you. Unfortunately, he was taken from us before that could happen. However, I would nevertheless like to offer you a place in this family. Your marriage might not have occurred, but we will behave as if it did, and treat you as my honorary daughter-in-law. What say you?”

Quilla gulped. She didn’t want this either—not without Garet—but what else could she do? She smiled as best she could. “Your Majesty, I accept.”

The King approached her and leaned in to kiss her.

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

The King paused, his eyes narrowing. “Strange,” he muttered. “It didn’t look like storm weather.” Then he kissed her cheeks.

This time, there was more applause.

The King spread his arms wide. “Lord Fonivan, Lady Steranovist, please take your places amongst your fellow lords and ladies while we attend to a much less celebratory duty.”

Quilla curtsied to the King, then moved over by Gabriella, Pastrin, and Ned.

Gabby clutched Quilla’s hand. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

Thunder rumbled again.

Just what they needed. A winter storm.

The throne room doors opened and a small group of guards led Lidda Plavin into the room and down the aisle towards the dais. The King remained standing on the steps. They stopped a short distance from the bottom.

“Lady Lidda Plavin, ruler of Plavin-Tyl,” the King said, “you stand before your gathered peers here, accused of worshipping Night, the Lord of Darkness. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Lidda raised an eyebrow. “Say? Why should I say anything? You’ve made your decision already. Nothing I say can change that.”

The King nodded. “Very well. Then we can make this quick. We have the testimony of witnesses, including Lady Quilla Steranovist and Lord Rudiger Fonivan. Most notably, in his confession, Lord Barnol Friaz labelled you a co-conspirator. There is ample evidence of your treason. Your family has been informed, and your brother Jamis, stands ready to take your place as ruler of Plavin-Tyl. Your sentence is execution by beheading.”

From the gathered nobles, Lidda Plavin’s mother cried out and collapsed into the arms of the noble beside her.

“Sentence will be carried out publicly first thing in the morning in Arnor City.”

Lidda fell to her knees. “Oh gods, I’m sorry. Please, your Majesty, they forced me. I had no choice.” There was little emotion in her voice. It was too dry. What was she trying to do? Mock them?

“I gave you a chance to speak already, Lidda,” the King said. “Your fate is sealed.”

Lidda lowered to her hands and knees, and crawled forward. “Please, your Majesty, I beg of you. I can give you more of them. There are others positioned across the continent.” Crawling up the steps, she reached the King’s feet. “I can lead you to the Dusk Supreme himself. Please, just spare me.”

The King stared down at her as she kissed his boot. With a scowl, he pulled his foot away. “You brought this on yourself. Have some dignity.”

Lidda backed down the steps and sat up, wiping her completely dry face.

“Your sentence will go forward as planned.” The King stumbled, but righted himself. “In the morning, you will be beheaded at…”

“Father?” Annai called. “Your foot!”

Smoke was rising from the King’s boot. He stumbled back against the side of the Queen’s throne, and bent over, trying to remove the boot. Gasps spread throughout the room.

“Wavon!” the Queen cried, leaping out of her throne and gabbing the boot. She screamed and fell back, her hands blistering.

Annai ran forward. “Father!”

Smoke poured from the King’s entire body. His face and hands were red and blistering. His beard and hair burst into flames. With a scream, he fell over, the flames consuming all of him.

Annai screamed. So did many of the nobles.

Gabriella ran at Lidda, her hand reaching for the hilt of her sword. “Guards! Kill her! Now!”

One of the guards who had led Lidda in stepped forward, and Gabriella flew backwards through the air, crashing into the far wall behind her. The guard then swept his arm wide in front of him.

Thilin, Captain DeSeloön, and several other Kingsguard rushed forward. The same guard stepped forward, and Thilin tumbled across the floor. The guard swept his arm in front of him again. Then, with his other hand, he grabbed DeSeloön’s wrist mid-swing of his sword. The Captain’s eyes went wide and he screamed as his skin pulled back and twisted. He kicked at the guard and punched with his free hand, knocking the guard’s helmet off and revealing Lamaën. The Captain’s hair went grey and fell out. Lamaën’s hair darkened. DeSeloön’s eyes sank back in his face, and Lamaën’s skin became smoother and younger-looking. A mummified husk dropped from Lamaën’s hands to the floor.

Quilla put a hand to her mouth, bile rising in her throat.

There was mayhem in the rest of the room. Nobles and courtiers ran for the exit, stumbling over one another.

The Kingsguard only paused a moment at DeSeloön’s death, then swung their swords at Lidda Plavin. She rolled away from one blow and grabbed another sword as it swung at her. It didn’t cut her hand, though. Instead, the blade glowed bright red. The Kingsguard dropped it with a yell, and it fell to the floor, now just a puddle of molten metal.

Rudiger rushed at Lamaën.

A force hit Quilla in the face, chest, and legs. It lifted her off the ground and threw her backwards against the wall. Ned and Pastrin hit the wall beside her, and Rudiger slammed into Ned.

Quilla sat up, rubbing her head.

Lidda Plavin was standing now, Lamaën and the other guards who had led her in surrounding her.

The Queen and Annai were still on the dais, kneeling over the King’s burning remains. Kingsguard and Palace guards lay on the ground as well as some nobles and courtiers, though most of those had fled from the room. Malef remained standing off to the side, staring at the floor.

“Ezuna calls to me,” Lidda said. “She is ready. I must go to her. Bring my beloved.” She strode towards the doors, Lamaën beside her.

Two of her guards grabbed Malef, who didn’t resist, and dragged him after her.

Gabriella pulled herself to her feet. “To arms! Sound the alarm! Lidda Plavin must be caught before she reaches the dragon.”

The Queen stood up. “I want her dead! No waiting for execution. Kill her on sight!”

“You heard her!” Gabriella yelled. “Move!”

The guards began pulling themselves to their feet.

Gabriella strode into the middle of them. “Thilin, organise the Palace defences. We need to be ready if the dragon strikes.”

“On it!” Thilin said.

Thunder rumbled, louder and more sustained than before.

No. More like something roaring.

Oh shit.

Not thunder.

Quilla felt faint.

“Kingsguard!” Gabriella yelled.

The remaining Kingsguard in the room snapped to attention.

“The Queen, Princess Annai, Prince Pastrin, Lord Nedwin Friaz, and Lady Steranovist. They are your charges. You are to get them off Palace grounds and to safety. You will defend them with your lives. Understood?”

“Your Highness!” the Kingsguard responded in unison.

“Alhang Merrin, you’re in command until a higher-ranking officer is available.”

Hang bowed. “Your Highness.”

“Rudiger!”

Rudiger pulled himself to his feet, and rubbed his head. “Here, your Highness.”

“You’re with me.”

“Permission to fetch my sword and horse first?”

Gabriella took a second before responding. “Your horse is too far away to reach. Go get your sword. I’ll send someone for your horse and mine.”

Rudiger frowned. “My sword is with my horse, your Highness. After previous events, I didn’t trust leaving it in my apartments.”

Gabriella nodded. “Fine then. Get your sword and horse. Join me at the north gate as soon as you can. And bring my horse with you.”

Rudiger bowed. “Your Highness.”

Gabriella raised her sword in a salute. “In memory of the King, my father! We avenge his name! For King Wavon!”

Thilin and the Kingsguard raised their swords. Even Pastrin, Ned, and Annai stood to attention. Quilla did her best to stand as straight as she could, as they all cried, “For King Wavon!”

Gabriella lowered her sword. “To your duties!”

* * * * *

The sky was overcast, but not stormy. The weather was actually quite calm. Not even a hint of a wind.

There was a large, winged shape flying high in the air to the south, though. With a long neck and long tail, it could only be the dragon. It was hard to tell just how far away it was since Rudiger wasn’t sure how big it was. He could make no reference with its apparent size in the sky. It was definitely somewhere over the south grounds, though, and descending.

All around him in the north plaza, Palace servants ran and stumbled through the snow. Guards tried to usher them in specific directions, but half the guards were running too.

Rudiger pushed his way between and around them, making his way to the west road and to the stables. He didn’t usually take this outdoor route, usually preferring to cut through the servants’ building. It was warmer that way, and he could always grab a bite to eat in the mess hall. But he suspected the place was a madhouse at the moment, so he kept to the outdoor route, past the servants’ hall and the kennels, finally to the stables.

Horses stared from their stalls, ears raised and turned forward. They shifted about, some snorting. A few were kicking at their walls or pushing on their gates. Stablehands ran about, trying to calm them.

As Rudiger walked along the aisles, it was apparent there were far fewer stablehands here than there should be. He could understand why some might have run, but that was going to be a problem.

“You!” he called to one.

The girl snapped to attention. “My Lord?”

“Guards will be arriving soon for horses. Get them ready!”

“Yes, my Lord!”

Rudiger continued on.

Borisin stared at him calmly as he approached. I was going to give you five more minutes before breaking out and heading for the hills.

Rudiger chuckled. “You’d never leave me behind.”

You can’t smell what I’ve smelled. What all the horses here have smelled. This is bad, Rudiger.

Rudiger opened the stall gate. “I know. Let’s get you saddled. My sword okay?”

It’s fine. Right where you left it. We are going to head for the hills, right? No, maybe not. Hills are a bad idea when your opponent can fly. Caves. That’s what we need. Caves with small entrances. That’s where we’re headed, right?

“Never known you to run scared, buddy,” Rudiger said.

I am not running scared. Just being practical. I’ve never smelled anything like what I’ve been smelling in the last little while. It’s made a couple of passes and I can tell it’s dangerous. It can only be the dragon. Even I don’t stand a chance against a dragon.

Rudiger sighed and began tying the straps on Borisin’s saddle. “Hate to break it you you, buddy, but we’re going to fight. Or something. I’m not really sure what we’re going to do. But we’re going to do something long enough for other people to get to safety. Then we run.”

I was afraid you were going to say something like that.

“You really think there was a chance we’d do anything else?”

Not really.

Once Borisin was ready, Rudiger retrieved Slay from beneath the hay pile. He stared at it, an idea forming. Lidda Plavin was obsessed with getting this sword. Was there some way they could use that? He shook his head and strapped the sword to Borisin’s side. “We need Gabby’s horse, too.”

What of the other horses? What happens to them?

Rudiger frowned. “The ones trained for combat will probably be seeing some sort of combat today, though I don’t yet know how we’re gonna fight a dragon, but yeah...they’ll be put to work.”

And the ones that aren’t combat trained?

Rudiger hesitated. “Don’t know. Some will probably be used to help people ride out, pull carriages out maybe, though those would just be moving targets.”

And all the others? There are a lot of horses here.

“I really don’t know,” Rudiger said.

They’ll be left behind, won’t they?

Rudiger shrugged. “Maybe. I honestly don’t know.”

I won’t just leave them to die.

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah. Okay, I think have an idea.”

They gathered Gabby’s horse and then Rudiger flagged down the nearest stablehand. It was the same girl he had spoken to earlier. “Can I ask you to do something?”

“My Lord?”

She looked only about twelve, and he was about to ask her to risk her life. “It’s all right to say no. This could be dangerous and is gonna need a lot of courage, but you’re still here, so obviously, you’ve got courage.”

“I don’t want to leave the horses alone, my Lord. They’re scared.”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah, they are. After all the guards and lords and ladies and courtiers come to collect horses, there will still probably be a lot of them left. At that time, I want you to open all their stalls. Open all the doors in the stables. Let them go.”

“But what if the dragon gets them, my Lord?” There were tears in the girl’s eyes.

“If they stay here, the dragon just needs to burn the stables down and will get them all. If they’re set free, some might get away. Maybe not all of them, but at least a few. Can you do that?”

She nodded.

“Thank you.” He turned back to Borisin and Gabby’s horse, and took their reins.

“What are you going to do, my Lord?” the girl asked.

“The name’s Rudiger.”

“Rudiger, what are you going to do?”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Try to stop that dragon from killing anyone.”

“Won’t it kill you?”

“Probably, but hopefully, I and the guards and Princess Gabriella can delay it long enough for other people to get away. That’s why I need you to take care of the horses. I’ll be too busy.”

“I’ll do my best, my Lord Rudiger. I’ll get some of the others to help me. We’ll make sure the horses get out, and the dogs too.”

“Once you’ve let them out, you get yourself to safety too. Understand? Find somewhere out of sight, preferably not made of wood, and hide there. Understood?”

“I understand.”

“Good.” He led the two horses away.

Thank you, Borisin said.

As he left the stables, he passed a group of soldiers heading in. There was no sign of the dragon, so he stopped one of the soldiers. “Where’s the dragon?”

“It landed in the south gardens, my Lord. Been there for a little while now.”

“Thanks.”

That gave him time to get the horses to the north gate without presenting a target.

They made their way along the road, past more people rushing to the stables and other areas.

In the plaza, people were pushing their way through to the gate. The north gate just went to the Royal Hunting grounds. To get to Arnor City, they needed to go through the south gate, but that was a mile across the grounds. It was also where the dragon had landed, so it wasn’t surprising people were trying to get out this side. They would have to hide in the wilderness in the freezing cold, though.

Rudiger hoped they’d be okay.

He found Gabby at the back of the throng of people.

“Spread out! As soon as you’re through the gate, spread out as much as possible! Groups will just make for easier targets! Rudiger, thank the gods you’re here.” Gabby took her horse’s reins.

Rudiger prepared to mount Borisin. “I heard the dragon landed in the south gardens.”

She nodded. “Yes. As best we can tell, Lidda Plavin has headed that way. I’m guessing the thing’s waiting for her before attacking. At least, it’s given us a little time. Gods damn it, how the fuck do we fight a dragon?”

Rudiger shook his head. “Don’t know, but we have to try.”

Gabriella scrunched her eyes shut, grimaced, and sniffled. “Gods, Rudiger, you saw what she did to him, to my father. She burned him. She burned him with a fucking kiss!” She took a deep breath and sniffled again. “Okay, have to keep calm. Thilin is spreading out the forces. We don’t want large groups together. He’s getting archers ready. Maybe with enough arrows, we can bring the fucker down, but we have to do that before it burns them all to death. Do you think she got that power from the dragon?”

“Maybe,” Rudiger said, “though the note Dyle left for Quilla says Darkers can perform special rituals to get special powers or some shit. Might be that.”

“She melted the Kingsguard’s sword.”

Rudiger shivered. “I know.”

Gabby sighed. “Sorry. It’s hard keeping focused when you’ve just watched your father die in…”

“You’re doing fine,” Rudiger said. “A hell of a lot better than I’d be doing, let me tell you. When I first discovered my parents’ deaths…” He shivered again and pushed the thoughts aside. “We need to distract the dragon, while the archers shoot it.”

Gabby nodded. “You’re right, but how are we going to do that without presenting alternative targets, which just means sacrificing those people? Though if it’s the only option to bring it down, we may just have to sacrifice some.”

“I have an idea.”

I hate you, Borisin said.

No, you don’t.

You’re right, I don’t. But I should.

“Go on,” Gabby said.

“I’ll be the distraction. Have you seen Quilla?”

Gabby shook her head. “Not since I left the throne room. They haven’t gone through the gate here. However, there’s a secret room. Underneath the Palace. It’s an emergency retreat for the Royal Family. There’s a good chance they’ve gone there.”

Rudiger sighed. “If you see her, ask her to take a message to Zandrue. Or take it to Zandrue yourself if you can. If I don’t make it out of here, tell her...tell Zandrue I love her and I was thinking of her at the end.”

Gabby tilted her head. “Rudiger, what the hell are you planning to do? How are you going to distract the dragon yourself?”

He patted Slay. “With this. Lidda Plavin is obsessed with my sword. I’m going to give her a chance to take it.”

“You’ll die.”

“Probably.”

“And then she’ll get the sword, which is probably disastrous.”

He shook his head. “I’m trusting Dyle was right in his insistence that my sword is not the one she’s looking for.”

“And if he was wrong?”

Rudiger threw up his hands. “Don’t know, but what else is there? It’s either that or sacrifice a whole pile of lives. Because there’s pretty much nothing else that’s going to distract that dragon.”

“Just because Lidda’s obsessed with it, how do you know the dragon will come after it?”

“They’re linked mentally or something. She’ll send it after me.”

Gabby sighed. “You’re throwing your life away.”

“Not my first choice, I agree, but you got a better idea?”

She shook her head.

“Don’t worry. I’m going to try to survive. Maybe the archers can take it down before it kills me. Tell Thilin to have them ready.”

She nodded. “We’ll need a few minutes.”

Rudiger mounted Borisin. “Be as quick as possible. Can’t risk the dragon causing damage while we wait. I’ll be at the southeast corner of the Crown Prince Garden. Let me know when you’re ready.”

“Will do. See you soon.”

Rudiger nodded, and Borisin began to walk away. They took it slow. It wasn’t far, and there was no need to rush.

We’re really doing this?

Like I said to Gabby, got any better ideas?

A whole bunch, but they’ll take too long to implement.

My point exactly, Rudiger said.

They reached the corner of the Crown Prince Garden and waited.

Rudiger wondered what Zandrue was doing. Assuming she was alive, of course, but he didn’t want to entertain the thought she wasn’t. With luck, she was now on her way back to Arnor City.

He needed to make certain there was still an Arnor City for her to return to.

Gods, what would she think when she arrived to find him dead?

If it’s any consolation, I don’t plan on dying.

Me neither, buddy, but let’s face it. That thing burned what was it...fifteen horses? And Tianna. All of them with just one breath. So Quilla described it. If it breathes on us, we’re dead.

The horses were hobbled and Tianna was tied up. They couldn’t get away. I plan on running as fast as I can.

Rudiger chuckled. Good plan.

I thought you’d approve.

Gabby rode up beside them sometime later. “Thilin says you’re a fucking idiot.”

Rudiger smiled. “Tell him if I wasn’t heading to certain death, I’d make him regret those words.”

Gabby smiled. “I will. The archers are ready, by the way. Some are positioned on the Palace roof. Others are spread out from there in a rough semicircle, all of them with as much cover as possible. The dragon is still on the ground, about halfway between the Palace and the Great Bear statue. From what can be seen, Lidda Plavin is on the dragon. She’s going to ride it.”

Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll fall.

Rudiger laughed.

“That wasn’t exactly my reaction,” Gabby said, “but I guess I see how that might be funny.”

“Oh, Borisin was just saying maybe she’ll fall.”

Gabby shook her head. “Right. Talking horse.”

I mean, she can’t actually have any experience riding a dragon, Borisin added. And I doubt she’s got a dragon saddle. How’s she going to hang on?

“He’s making some good points. With a little luck, maybe she really will fall.”

“We can only hope,” Gabby said. “At any rate, everything’s ready. The archers will wait for the dragon to come for you, and then will open fire at once. You’re a good man, Rudy. I’ll miss you, and I swear to you, if Zandrue is still alive, she will get your message.”

“Thanks.” Rudiger closed his eyes for a moment.

Can I make a confession? Borisin said.

Of course.

I’m terrified. Like, really, truly terrified.

Me too, buddy.

We’ve had a good run, haven’t we?

Rudiger nodded. We sure have. He leaned forward and patted Borisin’s neck. Love you, buddy.

Same back at you. Come on, let’s get this over with. If I’m going to die, I don’t want to draw it out any longer than I have to.

Rudiger leaned over and untied the straps holding Slay. He unsheathed the sword and handed the sheath to Gabby. “Memento.”

She smiled and took it. “Thanks.”

“Right. I’m trusting all the movement to you, buddy. I need both hands for the sword. Let’s go. Take me half the distance to Lidda and the dragon, maybe just past the Folith Arch. It could give us a bit of cover.”

You got it.

They moved out from the shelter of the garden wall and headed west towards the front of the Palace, then turned south across the courtyard. They headed along the path in the middle of the Grand Gardens until they reached the Folith Arch. They stopped on the other side.

The hillside leading to the Great Bear Fountain spread out ahead of them. Partway along it sat the dragon, a tiny human-shaped figure moving about on its back at the base of the neck. Probably experimenting for the best seating.

Be ready to turn around, Rudiger said. We need to lead it back towards the Palace so the archers can get a good shot.

I know. Trust me, okay?

Rudiger nodded. Sorry.

He held Slay above his head. “Lidda Plavin!” He yelled as loud as he could, though he wasn’t sure if she was close enough to hear.

The dragon lifted its head and looked in his direction, narrowing its huge eyes.

“All right, dragon then,” he yelled. “I’ve got something here that your mistress wants. Want to come get it?”

The dragon tilted its head and pulled back its face into a snarl. Then it pulled its head back.

It’s going to breathe from there! Borisin said.

I’d hoped we were out of range, Rudiger said.

But the dragon didn’t breathe fire at them. Instead, it only let out a loud roar.

Well, that’s a relief, Borisin said.

“Well?” Rudiger called out.

She’s responding, Borisin said.

I can’t hear her. She’s too far away.

I can barely hear her. She says the archers will be useless, but yes, she’d very much like the sword. She’s offering you the opportunity to put it down on the ground and walk away.

“Not gonna happen!” Rudiger yelled. “You want it? You come and get it!”

The dragon rose to its feet. Lidda slid a little on its back, but grabbed hold of its scales. Maybe she really would fall.

The dragon spread its wings.

Gods, that thing is huge, Borisin said. Time to go, I think. He turned and broke into a gallop.

Rudiger kept Slay raised and turned his head to look behind them.

The dragon leapt into the air. Lidda Plavin was no longer visible. The dragon’s breast and front of its neck kept her hidden from view.

Rudiger looked forward again and raised Slay higher, as high as he could manage. They were getting close to the courtyard.

A cloud of arrows shot out all around them, flying over their heads. Rudiger looked behind him again. Most of the arrows just flew threw empty air. Others hit the scales of the dragon and bounced off. It was impossible to watch all of them, so maybe a few got through the scales. Maybe one would even hit Lidda Plavin. That would be nice, since she didn’t seem to be falling off.

Coming up on the Palace. Borisin began a wide turn to the right, circling round.

Why hadn’t the dragon breathed on them yet?

As they completed the circle, Borisin galloped back the other way, towards the dragon.

More arrows flew at it, as the dragon pulled back its head and opened its mouth.

This is it, Rudiger said. He shut his eyes and gripped Slay tighter.

The roar of flames passed overhead, but nothing hit him. He opened his eyes and looked up, then behind him as Borisin came to a stop.

“Shit.”

The roof of the Palace was in flames. The archers there were screaming, leaping from the roof and hitting the ground as burning husks.

“It didn’t work.”

The dragon flew over the Palace and breathed down into the north courtyard.

“I’m here!” Rudiger yelled. “I have the sword, damn it!”

More arrows from the archers on the ground flew out, but the dragon was too far and on the other side of the Palace.

Gabby galloped up beside him and Borisin. “It was a valiant try.”

“It was a fucking disaster.”

Gabby nodded. “Yeah, it was, but you were right. It was our only option. But even if it had come after you, those arrows did nothing. Now we just have to get as many people out alive as we can. Oh gods, I’m pretty sure Thilin was on the roof with the archers. There was no way he survived that. Oh gods, Thilin. He was so young.”

The dragon flew back over the Palace, its shadow passing right over Rudiger and Gabby. It breathed again, but on the gardens to the east of them. The screams of the archers positioned there cut out almost as soon as they started.

She’s playing with us, Borisin said. Saving us for last.

“She’s playing with us,” Gabby said.

“Yeah, Borisin said the same thing.”

“Come on, we need to find Quilla and the others. Get them to safety before that thing kills us all.”

They rode straight towards the Palace. As soon as they reached the stairs, Gabby leapt off her horse. Rudiger handed Slay to her, then dismounted as well.

“Damn, this sword is heavy,” Gabby said, handing it back to him.

Incoming!

Rudiger looked up.

The dragon was coming straight at them, red flames taking shape in its gaping maw.

Rudiger raised Slay. Maybe the flames would melt the blade, denying Lidda her prize.

The flames shot forward. Heat washed over him. Such intense heat. The flames pressed against Slay, threatening to push him over.

And there they parted. They split to either side, then curved around him, Gabby, and the horses.

Then the flames had passed.

The dragon pulled up, flying over the Palace again.

Rudiger looked behind him. The stairs leading to the main entrance of the Palace were on fire, as were the main doors.

But he, Gabby, and the horses were unharmed.

Gabby wiped sweat from her brow. “What the fuck?”

The letters carved into Slay’s blade—the ones in the language no one had ever deciphered—were glowing a bright, fiery red. Rudiger gaped. “Holy shit.”

“And you were offering her the chance to take that?” Gabby said. “Come on. We have to move before the Palace burns down. We’ll use one of the servant entrances.”

Rudiger nodded slowly, still staring at Slay. “What about the horses?”

Don’t worry about me, Borisin said. I’ll get Druna here to safety. I’ll see you...when I see you.

Rudiger lowered Slay and patted Borisin’s neck. Be careful, buddy.

Always.

“I’m not sure there’s anything we can do,” Gabby said.

“It’s okay. Borisin’ll see to things.”

Gabby nodded. “Come on!”

Rudiger unstrapped Slay’s sheath from Gabby’s horse, then hurried after her, while the two horses took off. The letters on the sword were dimming as he slid it into its sheath. A mystery for another day. Right now, he needed to follow Gabby and…

No. He stopped as Gabby held the door open.

“Coming?” she asked.

He shook his head and pulled Slay back out of its sheath. “You find them. I’ve got the only thing here that is any defence against that dragon. I might be able to save a few lives.”

Gabby paused only a moment before nodding. “You’re right. Be careful.” She closed the door.

Rudiger took a moment to breathe deeply. Then he took off in search of anyone still alive.