‘Can you get us off this world?’ said Corthie. ‘I’m sorry that your realm is ending, but can you save us?’
‘I can do more than that, Corthie. With the power of the Sextant, I can save the survivors of Alea Tanton; I can see every person up here on the plateau of Old Alea – gang members, Banner soldiers, and the thousands of servants who used to serve the gods.’
‘What about Edmond?’ said Aila. ‘Can you see him?’
‘No. He’s gone.’ Her eyes snapped open. ‘I know what I have to do.’
‘What?’ said Corthie.
‘With this device, I can send people, living people, from here to any of the worlds created by this Sextant. There are over forty thousand up here; survivors from the desolation below us. I can save them, and I can save the dragons. I saw a small group of them in the Torduan Mountains, sheltering.’
‘They are my kin,’ said Deathfang. ‘Who are you? How has such power come to you?’
‘I am the Third Ascendant and the Queen of Khatanax.’
The huge grey dragon’s eyes burned. ‘Queen Belinda?’
‘Do you remember me?’
‘I never saw you, but I used to visit Dun Khatar in my youth, before the gods destroyed it. Are you truly the wise old queen?’
‘I am, though I don’t think I’m very wise any more.’
The dragon hesitated for a moment, then tilted his head. ‘Your Majesty. The light of my youth was filled with happy days, and for many years I have longed to return to that time. Everything went wrong when the gods invaded. We were imprisoned, and made to fight in the pits.’
‘And now, before the end of Lostwell, it will be my privilege and honour to save you and your kin.’
‘Where will you send them?’ said Kelsey.
Belinda thought for a moment. ‘A short time ago, I visited Queen Emily and King Daniel in the City of Pella, and they asked me about dragons. They also suffered terrible losses from the greenhides. I shall send the survivors there, both humans and dragons.’
‘You’re sending them to the City?’ said Aila.
Belinda glanced around at the small group. ‘Can anyone think of a better place?’
‘Wait,’ said Kelsey. ‘Are you sending Frostback too?’
‘I would want my daughter to accompany me to this City,’ said Deathfang; ‘I do not want to lose her again.’
Kelsey glanced at Frostback, then turned to Corthie. ‘Brother?’
He turned to her. ‘Are you and this silver dragon close?’ he said. ‘Like Sable and Sanguino?’
‘Aye. She’s only just accepted me as her rider. I don’t want to be separated from her.’
‘Nor I from you,’ said Frostback. ‘Come with us to this new world, Kelsey.’
‘What about me and Sanguino?’ said Sable. ‘Where should we go? Can you send us to Dragon Eyre?’
Belinda chewed her lip, then placed her hand onto the Sextant and closed her eyes as the others watched in silence. For a few moments, nothing happened, then the air above the residence crackled and spat out sparks of lightning. The immense form of a dragon appeared overhead, and the air stilled.
Blackrose looked down at the mountain of rubble. ‘You called me, Belinda, and I am here.’
‘Sable and Sanguino want to return with you to Dragon Eyre,’ said Belinda. ‘Will you take them?’
The black dragon descended, and Maddie jumped down from the harness. Blackrose opened one clawed forelimb, and Naxor stumbled out.
‘Were you in Dragon Eyre?’ said Corthie.
‘For about two hours,’ muttered Naxor; ‘and, believe me, that was enough.’
‘It’s beautiful,’ cried Maddie; ‘you should see it; the oceans, the sunshine, the little islands; it’s perfect.’ She glanced at Sable. ‘But it wasn’t the same without you and Sanguino. Blackrose feels really bad about the way you parted…’
‘I do not,’ said the black dragon. ‘I behaved correctly in every respect. I have, however, decided to return Naxor to you; he does not belong on my world.’
‘Quite right,’ said Naxor, brushing down the front of his clothes.
Blackrose glanced around. ‘This city is in ruins.’
‘Lostwell is dying,’ said Sable.
‘What?’ said Naxor. ‘Hold on, this wasn’t part of the deal.’
‘Hush, cousin,’ said Aila. ‘Everything will be fine.’
The black dragon lowered her gaze to Sable. ‘Have you accomplished what you set out to accomplish?’
‘We have.’
‘Are you ready to leave? Truly ready, this time? No more delays?’
‘I am.’
‘Then, let us depart. Millen, no doubt, will be overjoyed to see you.’ She looked around at the others. ‘Our time together on Lostwell is at an end. Farewell, all of you.’
Sable embraced Corthie and Kelsey.
‘Thanks for coming back for me,’ said Corthie. ‘This is hard for me to take; I’ve only just met you, and you’re leaving already.’
‘Look after Aila,’ said Sable, ‘and stay out of trouble. I’ll see you all again one day.’
She climbed up onto Sanguino’s harness, and the dark red dragon lifted into the sky. Maddie gave a sad wave to the others, and climbed up onto Blackrose’s back, and she rose up next to Sanguino.
Belinda placed her palm back onto the Sextant, closed her eyes, and the two dragons and their riders disappeared with a loud crack.
She opened her eyes again. ‘It’s time to save the others, even Naxor. Kelsey, are you going to the City with the dragons and the survivors of Alea Tanton?’
The young Holdfast woman looked from Frostback to Corthie, her eyes wide.
Van walked up to her. ‘If you go,’ he said, ‘then I will too. There’s nothing for me on Implacatus, except for a hangman’s noose.’
She gazed at him, then lowered her eyes and nodded.
‘What will I tell mother?’ said Corthie.
Kelsey started to cry. ‘Tell her I’m happy. And tell her I’m sorry.’
Corthie embraced her. ‘I’ll miss you.’ He turned to Van. ‘You’d better be good to my
