Sable shrugged. ‘That’s what she told Blackrose. He wasn’t in great shape, to be honest. I can’t get into his head, but he seemed to be in very low spirits.’
Aila nodded, feeling her heart break a little for him.
‘You still don’t like Belinda, then?’ said Kelsey.
Sable lifted her shirt and showed them a scar across her torso. ‘The last time we met, she did this to me.’
‘To be fair, though,’ said Maddie, ‘you did attack her.’
‘She’s working for the Ascendants.’
‘We don’t know that for sure,’ said Maddie. ‘She tried to warn us about the Catacombs.’
‘Back to Van for a moment,’ Sable said, glancing at her niece. ‘Do you have something going on with him?’
Kelsey tried to smile, but it came out strange. ‘Not yet.’
‘I see.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ said Maddie.
‘Holdfast business,’ said Sable; ‘not Maddie business.’
‘Do you have a Quadrant?’ said Aila.
‘Yes,’ said Sable. ‘Well, Maddie has it. I’m not allowed to touch it any more. I’ve been bad.’
‘Does anyone know where Corthie is now? Could someone take me to him?’
‘Sorry,’ said Maddie; ‘we don’t know where he is.’
‘He’s not in Kin Dai,’ said Sable; ‘I checked.’
‘Damn it,’ muttered Aila.
‘Blackrose probably wouldn’t allow it anyway,’ said Sable. ‘After everything she’s been through, she’s understandably a little reluctant to part with the Quadrant again.’
‘Then how am I going to find him?’
‘How soon are you leaving Lostwell?’ said Kelsey.
‘We were meant to be going tomorrow at dawn,’ said Sable, ‘but with what’s happened to the Catacombs, I’m not sure any more. Twenty-five dragons were killed in the attack; it was awful.’
Kelsey blinked. ‘Twenty-five? Pyre’s arse. And it was Arete? She nearly killed us in the forests of Kinell.’
Sanguino lowered his head into their midst. ‘The other dragons have called a meeting to discuss what to do now. You should come along, all of you.’
Millen helped Sable up, and they walked next to Sanguino down the slope to where the dragons had assembled. On one side stood Deathfang, flanked by over a dozen dragons, while Blackrose stood opposite him, with three dragons arrayed behind her. Sanguino joined the smaller group, and the humans stayed close to him. Aila looked for Frostback, and saw her standing alone, separate from both groups. She nudged Kelsey, and the two women walked over to stand next to the silver dragon.
‘Is everyone here?’ said Blackrose.
‘No,’ said Deathfang. ‘Three dragons are off hunting for food for the little ones, but we cannot delay any longer. We must consider our next move.’
‘You know my next move, Deathfang,’ said Blackrose. ‘I intend to leave for Dragon Eyre, just as we planned.’
‘For shame, Blackrose,’ said a small yellow dragon standing next to Deathfang.
‘That’s Burntskull,’ whispered Frostback to Kelsey and Aila.
‘You would abandon us in our time of need?’ the yellow dragon went on.
‘I’m not abandoning you,’ said Blackrose. ‘With us gone, you will have five fewer mouths to feed.’
‘And where are we supposed to live?’ said Burntskull. ‘The caves at this end of the valley are stinking holes.’
‘Never mind that for now,’ said Deathfang; ‘all I can think about is revenge. We should fly to the great city by the sea and burn it to the ground.’
‘That would be madness,’ said Blackrose. ‘The city is well protected, with anti-dragon ballistae, as well as two Ascendants with death powers. If you attack Alea Tanton, you will die.’
‘Possibly three Ascendants,’ said Sable; ‘if Belinda is on their side.’
Deathfang glared at her. ‘Silence, insect. You have meddled enough.’
Sable closed her mouth and raised her palms.
‘There is another choice,’ said Blackrose. ‘Perhaps you could consider bringing everyone to Dragon Eyre?’
‘Never,’ said Deathfang. ‘This is where we part, Blackrose, forever. Take your followers and go.’
A sleek grey dragon stepped out from behind Blackrose. ‘Father, let us not part this way.’
‘You have made your choice, Ashfall. My two elder daughters are dead to me.’
Frostback let out a mournful sound and lowered her head.
Ashfall turned to her. ‘You are still my little sister. Are you coming with us, Frostback?’
Frostback said nothing for a moment as everyone turned to her. ‘Blackrose is my protector,’ she said quietly. ‘I will do as she orders.’
‘Then I order you to do as you wish,’ said the black dragon. ‘I will not drag you to Dragon Eyre against your will. Deathfang, I can see that you still love her. Would you take her back if I relinquished my authority over her?’
‘I don’t know,’ he said, keeping his gaze averted from Frostback. ‘She disobeyed a direct command.’
‘She is young,’ said Blackrose; ‘she made a mistake.’
‘Does no one want me?’ said Frostback. ‘Blackrose, are you casting me aside because I failed you at Yoneath? I wish I had died that day.’
Kelsey put her hand against the silver dragon’s scales. ‘I want you.’
‘You see?’ said Frostback. ‘Even an insect values me more than my father or my protector.’ She looked down at Kelsey. ‘I am sorry; I shouldn’t have called you an insect. You saved my life. Thank you.’
‘It’s alright,’ said Kelsey.
‘You misunderstand,’ said Blackrose. ‘I would gladly take you to Dragon Eyre, Frostback, and I know your sister would also be very pleased if you came along. It’s just that I sensed a reluctance on your part, and wanted to offer you the chance to go your own way. What do you want, Frostback?’
‘I don’t know any more.’ She raised her head. ‘That’s not true; I do know, but I am ashamed to say it.’
‘Tell us,’ said Ashfall.
The silver dragon looked at Deathfang. ‘I want my father back.’
‘Do you mean that?’ said Deathfang, his eyes burning.
‘Wait,’ said a dark blue dragon standing next to him; ‘don’t I have a say?’
Deathfang glanced at her. ‘But, Darksky…’
‘You promised me,’ she said; ‘you promised that you would never reconcile with Frostback. She caused you nothing but pain and trouble; you said so yourself on many occasions. And now you’re thinking of taking her back?’
‘With all due respect,’ said Burntskull, ‘perhaps this should be a private conversation, not one aired before everyone.’
‘I agree,’ said
