‘And fetch Zara,’ Palemon said. ‘We have plans to make.’

Dion hung his head, motionless and slumped, while a brawny smith and his assistant pounded an iron hoop into the solid stone of the wall. Palemon’s soldiers then came forward and fastened a chain to the circle of iron, before connecting the chain to the manacles around his wrists. His legs remained unbound, but the chain wasn’t even long enough for him to stand.

He knew he had to gather his strength. He must learn about his enemy.

He had to bide his time if he wanted to have his revenge.

Keeping his head down, eyes on the floor, he gingerly leaned his back against the wall as he heard Palemon address a newcomer. ‘Zara, finally. We need to talk.’

‘Why is he here?’

‘He is here to serve me in whatever capacity I wish. Now’—from the shifting of Palemon’s voice, Dion knew he was pacing around the chamber—‘we have six dragons, but it is not enough. We must have more. Many more.’

‘We have only six sets of copper chains. I am sorry, sire, but despite my attempts, I cannot unravel the mystery of their construction. Archmagus Nisos was far more skilled than we are today.’

There was silence for a time, before Palemon finally spoke in a low voice. ‘I have an idea,’ he said slowly.

‘Sire?’ Kyphos asked.

‘Just yesterday I took one of the dragons out to sea. I have now flown over the sunken city.’

Zara sounded puzzled. ‘And?’

‘The locals have long known where to find the Great Tower of Aleuthea. It is far larger even than the tower in Malakai. It was simple enough to find, buried in the sea below one of the Lost Souls, an isle called Widow’s Peak.’

‘You think what we need might be there?’ Zara asked. ‘Preserved, after all this time?’

‘The vault under the Sky Tower was perfectly sealed.’

Kyphos snorted. ‘Apologies, sire. But are you saying we should dive to the Aleuthean tower, swim down, and somehow retrieve more chains?’

Dion lifted his head.

‘No, that isn’t what I’m proposing,’ Palemon said. ‘Zara . . . You and your sorcerers . . . I have seen you perform powerful feats of magic . . .’

‘What are you suggesting, sire?’ Zara asked, her mouth tightening.

Palemon had turned his full attention on her, his eyes lit up with fire. ‘You can summon a strong enough wind to turn a calm sea into a towering wave. I can only imagine what you and your magi can do working together.’

‘What is he saying?’ Kyphos raised an eyebrow at Zara.

Zara’s lips thinned. ‘He is suggesting that my sorcerers and I might be able to expose the ancient city.’

Dion fought the urge to gasp.