“Can we agree that we don’t want dragons to rule the world?” Kendra said.
“Yes,” Seth answered.
“And we can agree we don’t want Ronodin ruling the Fairy Realm?”
“Definitely,” Seth said.
“That’s a start,” Kendra said.
“This is the third dragon you fought today inside the Dragon Temple?” Seth asked.
“It should be the last guardian,” Kendra affirmed. “Thanks for the help. Is the storm still raging?”
“It was brutal,” Seth said. “The storm was slowing down when we arrived here. The sun was starting to peek through. And it was raining purple frogs.”
“Literally raining frogs?” Kendra checked.
“Yes,” Seth verified. “Live ones, tiny and slimy.”
“Gross,” Kendra said.
“It was pretty disgusting,” Seth admitted.
Trailing a short cape of webs, Tanu trudged over to Velrog. Crouching, he pulled the jaws apart, then, after finding leverage, cracked the jaws much wider than they were meant to open. Bending over, the gigantic Polynesian poked around inside the exposed mouth.
“If the storm is winding down, we need to hurry,” Kendra said. “The dragons could strike anytime. Who knows how many might come to the temple? At some point, they will realize we killed the guards they posted here. We have to find the Harp before they arrive.”
“I’ve got it,” Tanu said, turning and smiling, holding up a pulpy little pocket of tissue. “Let me blend this into a solution, and I’ll have everyone web-free in no time.”
Tess,” Emery called. “Fetch your brother and meet me in the hall. There is something you should see.”
“Is the storm over?” Tess asked.
“One is over,” Emery said. “Another may be starting. Hurry.”
Tess had only been awake for a few minutes. In Humburgh, Virgil had recommended they take refuge at Terastios before the storm hit, so she, Knox, Newel, and Doren had gone to Big Side and returned to the giant fortress with Rustafet. The night had been tumultuous outside, with shrieking winds and nearly continuous thunder, but she had finally slept.
Tess ran into Knox’s room and shook him. “Wake up.”
“Leave me alone,” Knox grumbled, pulling the pillow over his head. “I could barely sleep last night.”
“Emery wants to show us something,” Tess insisted. “It’s important.”
“You go see,” Knox mumbled. “She can show me later.”
“Another storm is coming,” Tess said.
Knox sat up. “Another storm? What do you mean?”
“Come on,” Tess said. “She’s waiting.”
“Give me a minute,” Knox said. “Let me get dressed.”
Tess went out of his room and waited. She started to worry it was a trick and he was back under his covers. “Are you coming?” she checked.
He opened the door, a crease from the pillow printed across his cheek, eyes bleary, but he had a T-shirt, jeans, and shoes on. “This better be good.”
“If not, blame Emery,” Tess said, leading him to the hall.
“Glad to see you awake,” Emery said. She took Tess by the hand. “I’ve been alerted to something worth seeing. This way.”
The beautiful servant led them down a few hallways to a leaded-glass window, which she opened, offering a view from the front of the fortress. The storm clouds had broken up and were drifting into the distance. Several trees had fallen and more had lost limbs. Many were charred from lightning strikes. Standing water abounded in pools and puddles.
And there was a small group of dragons flying toward Terastios.
Behind them, in the distance, hundreds of flying objects peppered the sky.
The platinum scales of the leading dragon gleamed in the light of the newly risen sun as he landed in front of the fortress. Sleek in form and enormous in scale, he wore a crown at the base of his majestic horns. Twenty other dragons formed up behind him.
“Welcome to a new day,” Celebrant declared in a clear voice with the resonance of many men speaking in unison. “Revenge is all the sweeter when your oppressors understand their doom. As of this morning, the other six dragon sanctuaries have all fallen. Yours is the last to stand. It will not endure for long.”
The dragons behind Celebrant roared and blew fire triumphantly.
“I offer no terms of surrender. The way you have treated our kind here leaves no room for mercy. You giants never placed an emphasis on magical defenses for Stratos and Terastios, considering such preparations beneath you. Speaking as your devoted enemy, you have my sincere gratitude for this philosophy. What meager defensive spells were in place have already been compromised. I want the dragons of Titan Valley to know that the hour of their liberation is at hand. I want the sky giants to realize that by nightfall, they will be extinct. And I want all to recognize that when we dragons finish our work here today, no two stones of this fortress will remain one upon the other, and the kingdom of Stratos will be a scarred and desolate waste.”
The dragons flanking Celebrant flapped their wings and bellowed. Behind them, rank upon rank of airborne dragons came into clearer view.
“The overseers of Titan Valley long ago forgot the might of dragons. We have come to issue a reminder that will never be forgotten. I am Celebrant the Just, and I swear that the Perennial Storm was a feeble precursor to the real tempest. Dragons, attack!”
The gates of Terastios opened, and three armored giants charged out, one bearing a mace, one a sword, and one a flail. After inhaling deeply, the Dragon King breathed out a stream of white energy that blew the helmet off the lead giant and left him on the ground, clutching his face. As the dragons accompanying Celebrant soared into the air, unleashing long columns of fire, searing bolts of lightning, and roiling torrents of acid, Emery closed the window and led Knox and Tess away.
“Are you going to kill us?” Knox asked Emery.
“I remain loyal to the Giant Queen, and I have been tasked with keeping you safe,” Emery said. “Should she fall, I will be released from my vows to her, and I will resume my former life as a dragon. I want to get you to
