Page 58 of Triumph at Pemberley

Her brother eyed her with a new respect. “I never thought of using your truth-casting that way. It will be useful.”

The dragons were already on their way back with more survivors.

“Tell me what you want to know, and I will ask.”

An odd feeling overtook Frederica, a sort of dizziness, as they were riding back to the encampment. Then Rana Akshaya appeared in her mind. Just faintly, but when Frederica fished out the dragon scale, her presence became much stronger.

The Indian dragon wasted no time. The Seer says you must go to Wales. Now.

Frederica’s heart pounded. It was what she wanted so badly to do, but she had already saved Jack’s life, or at least his mind, today. And if Quickthorn were not here, more French soldiers would have died. And they had given crucial information. Companion Jack is struggling with his new powers and needs my support.

Irritation swept through the sending. No doubt, but the Seer had one of her visions when she heard you were remaining in England. You have no choice. Nor do I.

Frederica’s throat tightened. Would Roderick be killed if she did not? Or come to some other terrible misfortune?

No. It had to be about the war. Cerridwen’s visions only told which course of action would lead to disaster, not personal outcomes. But some part of her could not let go of the fear for Roderick.

She could not bear it. Even if it made no sense, she had to go to him. To see him again and tell him that his needs did matter to her. To keep him safe.

But why had Cerridwen had a vision specifically about her? A little hint would be helpful. What does Cerridwen think I must do in Wales?

There is something you need to find. She does not know what it is.

Frederica hissed in frustration. How am I supposed to find something which I cannot recognize?

That is not my problem. Rana Akshaya was clearly cross with her. Now, tell me what is happening there, while you still can.

Of course. Rana Akshaya was not happy to be losing her source of instant information on the war, after going to all the trouble of getting the scale to her.

Well, it has been an eventful day. Frederica reluctantly related everything that had happened since Jack first realized new invaders were landing. She still did not fully trust Rana Akshaya’s motivations.

No sign of the mad dragon?

None, and the prisoners say he was not with any of the three invasion fleets. He has gone somewhere in his flagship, but no one knows where. At least none of the common soldiers.

Curious. Rana Akshaya abruptly changed the subject. Tell your dragon she is still part of this Nest until I choose to release her.

Frederica had no intention of doing anything of the sort, but she responded. I will do that. Quickthorn was already making plans to join the Gwynedd Nest, and now she would be there soon.

She was going to see Roderick!

Once they reached the encampment – and a little privacy – Frederica broke the news to Jack. He took it in stride, but he had seemed oddly untouched by everything since he washed the French away.

“Richard will have to take over what I have been doing – helping you stay out of the land and watching over you while you heal the wounded,” she said. There, that should get his attention.

“He will manage.”

“I wish I could be in both places at once. And that I knew what I must find in Wales,” Frederica complained.

Jack shrugged, clearly having no interest in speculation. “Perhaps you just need to be in the right place at the right time.”

“But why me? They have better mages than me, more experienced dragon companions, and better soldiers. I cannot even speak the language! What could I possibly have to offer?” Except to Roderick, but that would make no difference to the outcome of the war.

“Do you doubt the Seer?”

Frederica huffed in frustration. “Not really, no. But you need all the mage support you can get.”

“Freddie,” he said gently. “I would rather have you here, it is true. But I am a soldier, and soldiers follow orders. Your orders might have come from a dragon, but they are still orders. Go to Wales.”