“We all want to win,” Serena said.
“Well spoken,” Isadore approved.
“We know your task involves the Dragon Temple,” Basirus said.
“I believe that will have to suffice,” Isadore replied. She moved closer to Basirus and her hands fluttered.
Merek drew his sword. Part of the dome folded inward, and suddenly there were two domes repelling the rain. One held Seth and Merek along with their nipsies. The neighboring dome contained Isadore and Basirus.
“We’ll wait out the storm separately for now,” Isadore called, her voice barely audible.
“This is a prison,” Merek said, clanging his sword against the dome.
“Should I test this knife?” Seth asked.
“We won’t make it to the Dragon Temple if we’re trapped here,” Merek said.
Seth slashed the dome with the Unforgiving Blade and it tore open, vanishing completely an instant later. Isadore staggered as if injured, and her dome disappeared as well. Rain showered down on her and Basirus.
Merek drew his stake and charged forward as Basirus expanded into his dragon form. The transformation had barely finished when Merek plunged the stake into the dragon’s side. Instantaneously, the dragon disintegrated to ash.
Lightning flashed and Isadore screamed. Thunder partially masked her cry as the enchantress turned and ran. Sheathing his stake, Merek did not pursue her.
“Merek, wasn’t that our only ride?” Seth asked.
“Our partnership had ended. We weren’t going anywhere with them.”
“How did you kill him so quickly?” Seth asked.
“A Dragon Slayer has tools of his trade,” Merek said. “I lack my preferred sword and shield and my favorite bow. But if I can get close enough to use it, nothing ends a fight like my stake.”
“What about Isadore?” Calvin asked.
“She might double back and attack us,” Serena said. “Right now she’s devastated. Her regard for her brother was sincere.”
“She’s also wet,” Merek said. “She won’t be able to create that dome spell ever again.”
“Really?” Seth asked.
“The wounds of that blade are permanent,” Merek said. “You used it well. We were at her mercy.”
“We’re stranded in the Perennial Storm,” Serena reminded him.
Merek shook his head. “We’re only stranded if we act helpless. We’re drenched anyway—let’s head in the right direction and search for mounts.”
“And pray we don’t get struck by lightning,” Serena said.
“You’re catching on,” Merek replied, setting off at a brisk pace. Seth ran to stay with him.
With clouds blanketing the sky, Seth found it hard to gauge the time of day, though it was growing so dim, he assumed it was heading into the evening. Dazzling bursts of lightning and explosive concussions of thunder became a nearly constant accompaniment to their jog. Behind them, the pyramid had not fully collapsed, though it looked less steep and tall than before, and the summit was crumpled. The structure began to shrink in the distance as they progressed over the muddy prairie.
As they reached the top of a little bluff and started across it, the wind lulled. A searing bolt of lightning struck off to one side, and the electrical current reached Seth through the ground. The brutal shock hurled him to the mud, unconscious before he could register what had happened.
Raxtus breathed again onto Vanessa’s eyes, with Kendra lending support, her hand on his neck. The various exhalations he had attempted featured subtly different colors and scents. This yellowish vapor smelled chiefly floral, with hints of the sea.
“How about that one?” Raxtus asked.
“I don’t feel any progress,” Vanessa said. “I’m sorry for costing us so much time. I’ll be a liability if I continue with you. Please leave me behind.”
“Normally I would stay with you,” Warren said.
“This is an emergency,” Vanessa implored. “All of you need to push onward. With me sidelined, you’re already shorthanded. There are two more guardians to confront.”
“She’s right,” Tanu said. “I wish she wasn’t.”
“What if we apply more of your healing ointment?” Warren asked.
“A greater quantity will not be more effective,” Tanu said. “This injury is beyond my skills to heal.”
“Please,” Vanessa said. “You have to go.”
“I found a door that leads forward,” Tanu said. “From here, we can walk around the perimeter of the maze to reach it.”
“Go,” Vanessa said. “We all have a better chance if you hurry.”
“Here is a gaseous potion,” Tanu said, putting the little bottle into her hand. “If trouble shows up, become vaporous.”
Warren knelt, clasped one of her hands, and kissed it. “I’ll be back for you.”
“Don’t get eaten,” Vanessa said.
Warren grinned. “With this potion, I’m far too chewy.”
Tanu led them to an ornately carved wooden door. Beyond it, in contrast to the bright mirrors and gleaming piles of treasure, they found a dim, snaking corridor.
“I’ll hang back,” Raxtus said. “Go invisible. Other dragons have a hard time sensing me if I lie low. I might be more effective if I attack out of hiding.”
“My gumminess is fading,” Warren said. “Could I do another?”
“I think so,” Tanu replied. “Remember that how well it protects you will depend on the dragon. The gummy potion won’t do much against fire, for example.”
“I still have my speed potion,” Kendra said.
“Keep it handy,” Tanu said.
“I don’t like leaving Vanessa behind,” Warren said. “It feels like we lost our adult.”
“Kendra can step up,” Tanu said lightly.
The tunnel wound for a long time. Finally, it led them into an immense cavern where a tiny dragon splashed in a puddle. The creature was no larger than a chicken, with an oversized head shaped somewhat like a pterodactyl’s. The diminutive dragon hopped and flapped stubby wings, head bobbing left and right, big round eyes staring.
“How did that get in here?” Kendra asked.
“It can’t be the next dragon,” Warren said. “Did they give us a freebie?”
They ventured farther into the room as the little dragon bounced and splashed. Head swiveling, it made some croaky caws, then shook its tail vigorously.
“Maybe the dragon had a weird kid?” Tanu asked.
“It might be like the cat,” Warren said. “We kill it and it comes back bigger.”
“I don’t think we have to kill it,” Kendra said. “Let’s just pass it by. The goal is to find the prize.”
“I don’t
