I shared my idea about darts, though it wasn’t much.I’ll talk to my friends and get back to you soon.I’ll also speak with the dragons. They might have suggestions.Or secrets they hadn’t yet shared.
How do you plan to speak with dragons? You were an amazing trainer, but as far as I know, no one can talk to them.
Oh, yes, I hadn’t mentioned I’d bonded with Madrood and that we could communicate in our minds.I’ve found a way,was all I said.
I always suspected there was more to you than just an orphan raised in a border fortress. You’re one of those they were looking for.
Ivenrail had sought those with power because he hoped to find the heir to Lydel.
I’m going to fix this,I wrote.
I hope you can come up with a permanent solution. We’ll do allwe can to hold them off,she said,but he seems to have found a way to make more.
We both worried this could be the beginning of the end for us all.
Anything else?I asked.
I found a small pouch on the ground near where we kept the flying dreg.
What was odd about that? People lost things all the time.
There were a few bone coins inside,she wrote.I burned them, of course. I’m glad I found them when I did because . . .
What?
The flying dreg escaped the pen.
I sucked in a breath and stared at the words.
How did it get out?I wrote, the pencil shaking in my hand.
That’s the odd thing. I checked the locks myself each night before returning to my quarters, and they were always secure. But one morning, the dreg was gone, and the locks hadn’t been touched.
What do you think happened?
No idea. We’ve looked around,she wrote,but it’s not like this one had distinguishing characteristics. The flight I sent out saw a pack of dregs flying in the distance, but not wanting to draw attention, they didn’t go near them. They’ll attack us soon enough as it is. I assume the one that escaped rejoined the others and that it dislodged the clips on its wings.I could almost feel her sigh.One more for us to kill. I should’ve gotten rid of it while I had the chance.
One more won’t make a difference,I wrote.Let me know if anything changes.
Same. Take care. We need you.
We need you just as much.
She must’ve laughed.I’m a lowly commander in a border fortress.
And to most, I’m a lowly orphan who grew up in that fortress. The might of one can make all the difference.
Yes. You’re right. Thank you. We’ll talk again soon.
After signing off, I closed the journal.
30
VEXXION
Inside the manor house, I found everyone heading for the small, informal dining room where Vera had magicked a late breakfast. We settled in chairs. Heaping platters were passed around, and we dished up and began eating.
I sat with Tempest on my left and Brodine on my right. Airia, Reyla, and Vera sat opposite us, with Zayde and Layla taking each end as if they ruled the court.
