‘What do you mean, father? Are you disowning me, like you did to Frostback?’
‘Of course not! I meant that any journey to Dragon Eyre will result in your death. Broadwing and Deepblue are welcome to leave; they contribute nothing to the Catacombs, but you? I had high hopes for you.’
‘You have your new brood, father. Two sons and a new daughter. Darksky has never liked your older children.’
‘Don’t you dare speak to me about Darksky in that manner. Have I not always favoured you?’
Ashfall’s eyes glimmered and she opened her mouth.
‘Let’s not argue,’ said Burntskull. ‘If Ashfall is to leave us, then let us part on cordial terms.’
‘Wise words,’ said Blackrose.
The small yellow dragon turned to her. ‘Your wounds from the pits have healed, I see. When do you intend to leave?’
‘Our party of five dragons and three humans shall be departing in a day or so.’
‘And the device?’ said Burntskull. ‘The Quadrant? May we see it?’
Blackrose tilted her head towards Maddie. ‘Show them, rider.’
Maddie reached into her shoulder bag and withdrew the copper-coloured device.
‘It looks so small,’ said Deathfang; ‘so inconsequential.’
‘The nimble fingers of humans can create such things,’ said Blackrose. ‘Or they could, in the case of the Quadrant. I believe the knowledge of how to construct these devices has long been lost.’
‘How does it work?’ said Burntskull.
‘I do not know,’ said Blackrose. ‘I doubt anyone but the Ascendants understands that. I do, however, know how to operate it. It will take us to Dragon Eyre, or anywhere else we wish to go.’
‘Damned thing,’ said Deathfang; ‘it will deprive me of a daughter.’
‘Not if you came with us, father,’ said Ashfall.
Deathfang laughed. ‘Travel into the midst of a war? There are over a dozen infant dragons here in the Catacombs; do you expect me to drag them from their homes and take them to Dragon Eyre? The tombs are a hard place to live, but they are a paradise compared to that accursed world. It grieves me that you have decided to throw your life away like this.’
‘We shall prevail,’ said Blackrose; ‘it will not be easy, but we will regain our homeland. Once that is done, and peace has been restored, I can send an emissary back here, and invite you all to Dragon Eyre. I would give you an island fiefdom to rule over, Deathfang; you would be an honoured ally.’
‘Really? And why would you do such a thing?’
‘As thanks for all that you have done. You could have expelled Sanguino and the humans while I was imprisoned in the pits, but you refrained.’
‘Yes. I had a feeling you would return.’
‘That is irrelevant. You kept your word and I am grateful. Your daughter will become a mighty chief on Dragon Eyre; perhaps even a queen one day, with her own realm.’
Deathfang’s eyes narrowed. ‘If she survives. The last daughter of mine to go off with you never came home.’
‘We all mourn the loss of Frostback,’ said Blackrose. ‘She gave her life fighting the Ascendants; she was brave to the end, a credit to your line.’
‘We do not know for certain that she is dead,’ said Burntskull. ‘She may have fled to some remote corner of Khatanax.’
Fire licked over Deathfang’s jaws. ‘Are you calling Frostback a coward?’
‘No, my lord, no. I…’
‘Only a coward would have fled,’ said Deathfang. ‘Broadwing would have fled; Deepblue also, if she had been brave enough to go in the first place. Not my Frostback. I was tricked into disowning her, and have paid for my folly. And now, with Ashfall’s decision to leave, I am paying again.’ He stared at Sable. ‘I blame you, witch. You deceived me with your nefarious powers.’
Sable said nothing.
Deathfang turned back to Blackrose. ‘I am glad you are removing the witch from the Catacombs, but I would advise you to be wary of her tricks. It seems to me that for every honourable member of your party, you have a dishonourable one as well. Broadwing’s cowardice cancels out Sanguino’s courage, and Sable’s lies weigh against Maddie’s loyalty. As for Millen and Deepblue, they are nothing but liabilities. Ashfall, my daughter, I fear for you amid such company.’ He sighed. ‘All the same, go with my blessings upon you. I cannot pretend to be happy about this, but I do not wish us to part in rancour.’
Blackrose tilted her head. ‘Thank you for seeing us today, Deathfang. We shall now take our leave. I will inform you when we are due to depart the Catacombs.’
Deathfang glanced away as if bored of the conversation, but Sable could see the hurt in his eyes. Blackrose led Sanguino, Ashfall, Maddie and Sable from the cavern, and they strode to the tomb entrance.
Maddie elbowed Sable in the ribs. ‘You actually kept your mouth shut. I was amazed. I was absolutely positive that you were going to say something crazy to old Deathfang in there.’
‘I said I would be quiet.’
‘Yeah, but I didn’t believe it.’
‘I’m behaving myself. Blackrose is still furious with me.’
‘Indeed I am,’ said the black dragon. ‘Had you provoked Deathfang, I would have bitten your head off. And then, alas, I would have lost Sanguino, Ashfall and the others. The success of our expedition hangs on you behaving yourself.’
Sable nodded. ‘At least until we get to Dragon Eyre.’
‘As long as your mischief-making is directed at our enemies, then I shall not mind.’
Maddie climbed up onto Blackrose’s harness, and Sable did the same with Sanguino. She connected her mind to that of the dark red dragon, and the three dragons launched themselves off the lip of the tomb. They circled over the lava pools for a few revolutions, then descended to Blackrose’s lair. Deepblue, Broadwing and Millen were waiting close to the entrance, and moved aside to allow the others to land. Sable and Maddie clambered down from
