“You’re young,” Dante said. “You have had little time to achieve much. It’s a surprise that a being of your tender years is a shadow charmer.”
“I had some help,” Seth said, hoping to be mysterious.
“I’m not interested in your history,” Dante said.
“I know things about the dragon war,” Seth said. “And the Under Realm.”
“Celebrant is abroad,” Dante said. “Soaring Cliffs fell. You helped Wyrmroost fall. Crescent Lagoon fell and was reclaimed. Frosted Peaks went down recently. Do you know what Celebrant intends for Titan Valley? Do you still serve his cause?”
“I’m not sure how much to say without an arrangement,” Seth said.
“Mortals lie more readily than most,” Dante said. “A disgusting trait. The story about your memories might be fabrication.”
“I gave you my word,” Seth said.
“Tell me why you helped topple Wyrmroost,” Dante said.
“I was in training, working for the Underking,” Seth said.
Dante shivered. “I believe you. I can spot a liar. But I doubt you have knowledge I need. I want no dealings with the undead.”
“Are there winnings in the Games?” Seth asked. “Could I offer you a share?”
“This troll wants no share of hypothetical prizes,” Dante said. “I don’t speculate that way. Let others gamble.”
“Could I owe you a favor?” Seth asked. “My abilities are useful.”
“What favor can a dead boy provide?” Dante countered. “The Games are lethal. Even armed with sound advice, you are heading to your demise. Unless you can offer value now, I see no profit in helping you.”
“I’m a shadow charmer,” Seth said. “Do you have any problems with the undead?”
Dante rubbed two of his three chins. “As a matter of fact, there is a cottage on the road just east of here with an unruly presence inside.”
“A wraith?” Seth asked.
“You pick a name,” Dante said. “I don’t study these matters. If you expel the presence, I will provide you with an introduction to one who can advise you about the Games.”
“Sounds fair,” Seth said.
“Brunt will escort you,” Dante said, heaving himself to his feet. “Succeed and we both benefit.”
“I’ll see you soon,” Seth assured him.
“I like the confidence,” Dante said, slapping Seth on the shoulder. “If you perish, Brunt and I will share a good laugh.”
Is that dragon pulling a wagon?” Knox called from where he stood by the window in the wall of the wicker house.
Kendra crossed the swaying floor and braced herself against the windowsill. The view was out the side of the house. Not far off, moving parallel to them, a giant considerably smaller than Rustafet drove a huge wagon harnessed to an emerald green dragon, the heap of cargo in the back covered by a tarp. Wings pinned down by the harness, the dragon strained to pull the heavy load as the driver swung a lash.
“No way,” Kendra said.
“Get used to that sight,” Rustafet said. “No free rides for dragons at this sanctuary. They contribute.”
Vanessa, Warren, and Tess gathered at another window.
“I never imagined I would see a sight like this,” Vanessa said.
“Is it safe to ride in a dragon wagon?” Tess asked.
“I want to ride in one,” Warren said. “Pulled by Celebrant. Maybe I’ll feed him a carrot.”
As Rustafet progressed onward, they passed other dragons hauling other loads, all wearing confining harnesses. Then Kendra spotted a huge brick building with a red dragon chained out back. When the bald giant beside the dragon prodded it with an iron spear, the dragon blew fire through a window into the facility.
“What is happening there?” Knox asked.
“Dragon forge?” Warren guessed.
“Exactly,” Rustafet said cheerfully. “We have the last five dragon forges in the world.”
“What are those?” Tess asked, pointing upward. “Dragon kites?”
Up ahead Kendra saw a pair of dragons circling in the sky, harnessed to long poles. As they drew nearer, Kendra beheld that the poles attached to a wheel atop a squat tower.
“It’s a mill,” Tanu said, “powered by dragons in flight.”
“Very good,” Rustafet said. “The mills are a newer innovation, but we’re getting good results. It took time to develop poles that were long enough, light enough, and strong enough. Plenty of magic involved!”
“Don’t the dragons fight back?” Kendra asked.
“It’s been a long while since we had serious resistance,” Rustafet said. “It took the Giant Queen some time to establish order here. But now the reptiles generally know their place. A few rogues are on the loose, but they stay free by hiding, not fighting.”
Kendra could hardly believe her ears. Dragons were so proud and fierce! Yet there in front of her was a smallish silver dragon rigged to a plow, managed by a burly giant with a heavy tunic and a tangled black beard.
“What would Celebrant say to this?” Knox asked.
“He would go berserk,” Warren said.
“He would burn this sanctuary to the ground,” Kendra said.
Rustafet chuckled. “A lot of us actually hope the warring dragons come here. Once we subjugate them, we could expand our industries! Build more forges, mills, and wagons!”
Kendra wondered what a fight between giants and dragons might look like. Having seen dragons in action, she suspected the battle might not be as easy as Rustafet seemed to think. “Can’t the dragons burn you?”
“Depends on the giant,” Rustafet said. “Some of us have thick hides. Fireproof, even against dragon fire. Don’t fret about dragons here. Under our protection, you’ll be fine. Terastios is just ahead. I’ll turn so you can see it.”
Rustafet pivoted, and a vast fortress slid into view, a colossal gray rectangle with no towers and few adornments, flanked by sheer mountains. A massive door was opening as they approached. When Rustafet straightened to face the fort directly, Kendra watched the monumental building swing out of sight.
She hurried to a rear-facing window to see the conscripted dragons recede from view as Rustafet passed through the gaping doorway into the tremendous fortress. A female giant nearly the size of Rustafet closed the doors after they entered, her brown hair in a single thick braid that almost reached her waist.
With the rear view cut off, Kendra returned to the side-facing window beside
