“Happy birthday,” Tanu said. “You arrived just in time.”
“She was a tiny dragon,” Cyllia said. “Just difficult to reach.”
Kendra reconsidered Cyllia as a newborn. It made her realize there was so much she didn’t know about magical creatures. How many of them had no childhoods? She glanced at the fairy dragon. “Thanks for saving me, Raxtus,” she said. “Again.”
“We’re all trying to save one another,” the sparkly dragon said humbly.
“Did you see illusions?” Kendra asked.
“Cockatrices were attacking a nest of dragon eggs,” Raxtus said. “It was hard to resist lending aid, but I decided it had to be a trick.”
“I was at a grocery store,” Warren said. “First a cashier transformed into a werehyena. Then a minotaur confronted me in the produce section. Turned out it was Kendra.”
“I was the hyena,” Tanu said, patting his bandage. “I witnessed foul creatures rising from the sea. One of them bit my thigh, but the fang pierced me just like a sword. I watched them slaughter innocents, while resisting the impulse to intervene.”
“Mind magic doesn’t usually work on me,” Kendra said.
“This magic was attacking our senses,” Tanu said. “The impulses came from outside our minds. Very potent and believable.”
“Pioleen wanted us to kill one another,” Kendra said.
“Good restraint, everyone but me,” Warren said. “And way to finish the job, Cyllia.”
The hamadryad gave a small bow.
“One more guardian,” Warren said. “Let’s hope this last monster is asleep.”
Seth awoke looking up at a dome of rocks. The warm air was rich with the most pleasant woodsmoke he had ever smelled. Beyond the confines of his stony sanctuary, thunder boomed.
Seth sat up abruptly.
He had been struck by lightning!
Merek knelt nearby, his clothes and armor soiled. “Welcome back, Seth. You have friends in strange places.”
An older man sat on the far side of the modest fire, wrapped in a dark brown cloak. He was handsome, with silver hair and a steady gaze. Seth had never seen him before.
“Did you build a dome around us?” Seth asked.
“The credit for your shelter goes to the Wandering Stones,” the older man said. “I may have put in a good word.”
Seth reached out with his power to see if he could communicate with the rocks around him, but he could detect no identities. “Thank you. Not to be rude, but won’t this fire choke us soon?”
The man gave a nod. “Ordinarily, yes, without a vent, but the stones are allowing the smoke to filter out. And I have some skill with woodcraft.”
Seth turned to Merek. “Did the lightning knock you out, too?”
“I woke up only a few minutes ago,” Merek said.
“Calvin?” Seth asked. “Serena?”
“I’m here,” Calvin said from his pocket. “Serena too. We were both out cold.”
Seth looked at the stranger. “How did you find us? Were you out for a walk? Enjoying the fine weather?”
“He isn’t a dragon,” Merek said. “I can tell.”
Seth relaxed a little. Merek had anticipated his suspicion. “It’s still unusual,” Seth said.
“He is no ordinary man,” Merek said.
“I admit I was seeking you, Seth Sorenson,” the man said, pouring herbal tea from a kettle beside the fire into a cup. “Don’t let that alarm you. There is enough peril ahead without me adding to your worries.” He handed the cup to Seth. “You once did me a favor. It may have seemed small to you, but it was significant to me, and I have come to help you.”
“I lost my memories,” Seth said, grateful for the warmth of the cup between his hands.
“I understand,” the man said. “Your friend the Dragon Slayer told me you have a long way to go tonight.”
“It’s basically impossible,” Seth said. “Especially since you aren’t a dragon.”
The man poked the fire with a stick. “There are other powers besides dragons in the world. You are aware the Fairy Realm has fallen.”
“I heard,” Seth said, taking a careful sip from the cup. The tea was hot, but cool enough for sipping. It warmed and invigorated him.
“I managed to sneak a relic or two out during the commotion,” the man said.
“You’re from the Fairy Realm?” Seth asked.
“Once I was,” the man said. “It has been a great while since I truly belonged there. But I came from there recently. Have you heard of the astrids?”
“Flying men,” Seth said. “Sometimes they look like owls with human faces.”
“Wings are a specialty among the fairy folk,” the man said. “I suspect wings might help you and the Dragon Slayer tonight.”
“Maybe,” Seth said. “It might be too stormy.” Every sip of the flavorful tea helped Seth feel more alert.
“Much too stormy for most wings,” the man agreed. “But the wings of an astrid are extraordinary. They perform very well under duress and always respond to courage.”
“Are you an astrid?” Seth asked.
“I am not,” the man said. “Nor can I offer astrids to help you. But I can give you and your friend wings like an astrid, if you wish.”
“You can make us into astrids?” Seth asked.
“No, you’re a mortal,” the man said. “And the Dragon Slayer is mortal as well, though he possesses a lifespan that tests the limits. I can give you both temporary wings, of the same sort used by astrids.”
“Wings that could fly through the Perennial Storm?” Merek asked.
“Any storm,” the man said. “Including this one. Maintain your courage, and even thunderbirds will appear clumsy beside you.”
“Sounds like a wild ride,” Calvin said.
“Sadly, I don’t have tiny wings for the nipsies,” the man said.
“We’re used to being passengers,” Serena said.
“Wings like you’re describing could save us,” Seth said.
The man nodded. “These sets of wings are the most useful gift I could manage under these circumstances. They are resistant to lightning and freezing temperatures. If you can keep your courage against dragons, these wings will largely protect you from the magic behind their breath weapons.”
“That could be valuable if dragons show up,” Merek said.
“Dragons are quietly gathering here,” the man said. “Have you not felt it, Dragon Slayer? Titan Valley will soon be resisting the
