VARENCIENNE OPENED HER EYES and found herself standing upon the shore beneath the shadow of Old Caradore. Time seemed not to have passed, for the setting sun was still visible in the sky. Tatrini and the others still appeared to be arguing over what should be done, but they appeared, strangely, to have increased in numbers. A large crowd of shadowy shapes gesticulated angrily at one another. Varencienne could pay no attention to it and turned away. Over the water hung the vague shifting shapes that could be sea mist or Dragon Daughters. Valraven sighed deeply and rubbed his face with his hands. Then he raised his arms. ?Go forth,? he said. ?Jia, Misk, Thrope. Go forth. Return to your realm.? Varencienne watched him curiously. When she glanced back at the sea, there was no sign of the mist, but standing on the water, appearing as solid as herself, were Ellony and Thomist. They were smiling, but did not speak. Ellony raised one hand towards Valraven and Varencienne felt a wave of energy wash over her. It was the ultimate compassion and forgiveness. She blinked and, in that moment, Ellony and Thomist disappeared. Varencienne became conscious she was still holding onto Valraven’s hand. He stared at the water with an unreadable expression on his face. “They’re safe now,” Varencienne murmured. “They’ve gone to their proper place.” Valraven closed his eyes briefly. “I know.” He turned to Varencienne. “I could have raised Foy,” he said. “I nearly did.” “I realized that,” Varencienne replied. “I could feel it. Why didn’t you?” He shook his head. “It was not for me.” He withdrew his hand from Varencienne’s hold. “I am what I am. It is too late, but perhaps those who come after me will have their chance.” Varencienne nodded slowly, cradling her own cold hand, which had held him. “It is why I wanted children.” Valraven breathed in through his nose as if summoning courage and resolve. “Tatrini must make me king of Caradore as she promised. It is the only way. We have to embroil ourselves in this matter. But I have no power to give her.” “She doesn’t know that,” said Varencienne. “That may be our best hope.” She paused. “However, the Dragon Daughters still appear able to manifest in this world, and you commanded them, so perhaps you’re not as impotent in this situation as you think.” He pulled a sour face. “Give Tatrini the Dragon Daughters? Is that wise?” “Did I say that?” Varencienne replied. “If a person has never tasted the whole feast, they are content with the savory crumbs that fall from the table.” Valraven sighed again. “There could be a bloody conflict ahead of us. Am I right to ally myself with this faction? My loyalty is to Leonid.” “We must do what we can to survive. I am sure nothing will occur immediately.” “And in the meantime, Magravandias marches upon the world.” Varencienne narrowed her eyes. “Do you feel different now that Misk has left you?” “I feel awake,” he said. Varencienne nodded briefly. “We must go to the others. Stop their squabbling.” She paused, looking at the group further up the beach, which was now clearly visible to her. It had increased in numbers; Varencienne’s eyes had not deceived her. The Leckerys were there, accompanied by Dimara and a couple of her cronies. They must have followed the empress’s party out of Caradore. “Oh,” Varencienne said. “This looks like trouble.” How had they learned of Tatrini’s plans? “What is it?” Valraven said. “What are they doing here?” “It is the Sisterhood of the Dragon,” Varencienne said dryly. “Your secret priestesses. No doubt they have come to lend their strength to yours.” Valraven raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m sure they mean well,” she said. Voices were raised in anger. The empress and Dimara exchanged insults, while Saska wrung her hands, comforted by Everna. Niska and Ligrana stood uncertainly by Pharinet, their expressions tense. Merlan stood back from the situation, his expression half amused, half furious. Whatever else might have occurred while Varencienne and Valraven had experienced their visionary journey, it was clear the group on the beach had not seen Ellony and Thomist rise from Pelagra. They had been too busy arguing for that. Varencienne despised them. They were so blind. Valraven marched up to them, and for some moments stood with folded arms watching the altercation. Merlan was first to notice Valraven was there and moved closer to the others, observing the Dragon Heir carefully. Dimara’s face was pushed near to Tatrini’s. Both women had shed their dignity and clearly didn’t care. “You have no right to place your taint in this place!” Dimara was saying, arms waving. “You are nothings,” Tatrini responded coldly, a withering sneer on her face. “Get back to your hearths and your gossip.” “You thief, you mother of thieves!” yelled Dimara. “Silence!” Valraven cried and everyone froze at once. Then Dimara recovered her composure and her voice. “My lord, we are here as your servants and your priestesses. Once we heard what this woman was planning, we came here at once.? “How did you hear of this?” Varencienne demanded. Dimara examined her with contempt. “You Magravandians believe you have us all dancing like little puppets to your tune. Well, you are wrong.” “They had to know,” said Everna, betraying herself. Tatrini laughed. “We all have our sources.” “And who exactly is yours, mother?” Varencienne said. “Everna as well? That would make everything neat and tidy, wouldn’t it?” “It isn’t Everna,” Valraven said. “The Empress Tatrini has eyes and ears everywhere.” He turned to Pharinet. “Hasn’t she, sister?” “Pharinet?” Varencienne exclaimed. The implication of this accusation made her flesh chill. Pharinet, she had trusted. “Val,” Pharinet said, in a low voice. “You didn’t have to …” “Oh, don’t judge her,” he said. “We are both Magrast’s creatures. Bayard made sure of that.” “La la la,” trilled the empress sarcastically. “How wonderful these revelations are. What will come next, I wonder?” She cast a knowing eye at Merlan. “Have you any dark secrets, young man?” “Enough of this,” said Dimara impatiently. “Nothing I, or my sisters, hear concerning Pharinet Palindrake surprises us, but our family is above reproach. I suggest we return our attention to the matter at hand.” She bowed slightly to Valraven. “My lord, forgive us. We demean your actions with this pointless debate. I know what you have been driven to attempt. Now, you must tell us, is all well with you?” “I am in good health,” Valraven said. “Then … what happened?” Dimara asked. Valraven shook his head. “There will be time for that. First of all, you tell me what all the shouting was about.” Dimara pulled herself to her full height. “The Malagashes are in possession of hallowed Caradorean property. We demand that it be returned to us.” Valraven frowned. “I don’t know what you mean.” “The sacred book,” said Dimara. “It was stolen by the oppressors.” Valraven glanced at Varencienne. “It was a history book,” she said, “full of ancient tales. Ilcretia’s daughter, Ahrenia, took it with her to Magrast when she married.” Valraven nodded shortly. “I see.” “No you don’t,” said Dimara. “She twists the truth. The book belongs to us. These thieving vermin have no right …” Valraven interrupted her. “Mistress Corey, whatever your feelings, I should remind you that you are referring to the empress of Magravandias and her family. Keep a civil tongue, in your head.” “Quite right,” said Tatrini. “I could have you thrown into a Magrastian dungeon, or your tongue cut out.” Valraven narrowed his eyes at Tatrini. “As for you, madam, your behavior here is unseemly. Have you no pride?” Tatrini closed her eyes briefly and shook her head, her lips pursed. “It is inconsequential. While these interlopers have been yelling at us, we’ve been unable to assist you in your task. We must begin the process again …” “No,” said Valraven. “It is complete.” Tatrini frowned. “Complete?” “Yes.” Valraven folded his arms. “I understand so much now. For too long others have borne the weight of my own fear, shame and guilt. But no longer.” “Foy, did she speak to you?” Tatrini asked. “You must tell us.” “Foy will not rise,” Valraven said. “You must try again, as I suggested,” Tatrini began, but Valraven silenced her with a raised hand. “Foy will not rise, because I have given her peace. She sleeps restfully now, and you will attempt to raise her at your peril.” “Then the Ustredi …” “No,” Valraven said. “I will not revive the contract, especially for you. I am your servant, Your Mightiness, but I also know that you, and any of your bloo
d, cannot treat human sacrifice with the proper reverence such selfless acts deserve.” Tatrini laughed. “My lord Palindrake. How bravely you speak, and yet if it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have this new awareness. You cannot refuse me my requests. Have you no honor?” “You have what you came for,” Valraven said. “As I said, I am your servant, and more use to you now than before. It is my duty to serve those who come after me in this world, and if you treat them well, you will have my unswerving loyalty. This I swear.” Dimara raised her arms. “All hail Valraven, Dragon Lord of Caradore.” “Save your praises,” Valraven said. “None of us are divine or righteous. We are all motivated by small concerns and undeserving of communing with elemental powers like Foy. All we can aspire to is the greed of the Dragon Daughters.” He smiled coldly at Tatrini. “They are yours, madam, for they are all I can give you.” Tatrini addressed her daughter. “Is this true?” Varencienne shrugged. “I saw Foy given rest. I saw Ellony and Thomist freed to travel to the next world.” At this point, Saska and Everna both uttered soft cries, but Varencienne ignored them. “I know that Valraven is right. We cannot raise Foy. She is damaged and no longer the power that she was. The Palindrakes have changed. Their blood has mingled with the people of the fire-drakes. We cannot look to the past to solve current dilemmas. In my opinion, we should work together to form new strategies for the future.” Tatrini raised bunched fists. “But the elemental power, Varencienne. You have seen it, felt it. It must be ours.” Varencienne shook her head. “It is my belief that human drive and human reason are all that we need to make a new world for ourselves. To think otherwise is a delusion. Our very existence, and all that we are, is magic.” She smiled at Merlan. “We have intelligence, we have passion, we have creative thought. We are the stars of the universe, each glowing brightly. All we require is selflessness, to think carefully about the world we might create for our children.” Valraven put his hand upon her shoulder. “She speaks sense. Let us leave this place.” Night had fallen upon the beach of Old Caradore. As the party began to move back towards the cliff path, Varencienne paused and turned back to the sea. She did not know, could not imagine, how her life would progress from here. There were so many possibilities. Valraven called to her, but she did not turn round. She sensed that a circle had been completed, but which one? That which had begun nine years ago, or that which had started with Cassilin’s conquest of Caradore? Had she merely taken the first few steps upon a new circle, one that she, Valraven and their families had initiated and therefore must complete? On the horizon, the sky was dark with oppressive clouds, which threatened the moon. Those clouds could so easily eclipse the light of the stars. Varencienne hugged herself. She felt afraid.