A clank sounded below, and Sena realized he had dropped his knife. With a grunt, the bearded man moved aside, and somehow Sena was embracing his sister, crying into her hair. She was so short—the top of her head barely reached his shoulders—and he held her slim body, nearly crushing her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "Laira, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

She looked up at him, smiling, tears spiking her lashes. She touched his cheek. "Hello again, dear brother. After so many years, hello again. I love you."

He embraced her tightly and they stood for a long time, holding each other upon the boulder, a sea of blood around them.

JEID

 
JEID

Another Vir Requis had joined them. His twin brother was dead. The Goldtusk tribe was Laira's to command. The world shook around Jeid, but he no longer cared.

He cared for only one thing now.

Back in dragon form, he dug through the rubble, tossing boulders aside. His eyes burned. He worked in a fury, unearthing dead tribesmen, a crushed roc, and puddles of blood. Boulders rolled around him.

"Help me!" he said. "Tanin, Maev!"

His children rushed forth, shifted into dragons, and dug with him. Their eyes were narrowed, their mouths shut tight. They were thinking the same thought as him, Jeid knew.

Eranor was missing.

Jeid ground his teeth. Last he'd seen his father, the elderly druid had been blowing fire from the pantry, the rough cave that was now buried under rubble. With a grunt, Jeid grabbed a great boulder—it was as large as a man. Tanin and Maev had to help, shoving against it, before it creaked and crashed down.

The entrance to the pantry, once a narrow cave barely large enough for a man to crawl into, lay shattered. Jeid tugged back stones, widening the opening, revealing the shadowy chamber.

"Father!" he called. No answer came.

His arms shook as Jeid shifted back into human form. He raced into the cave and felt his heart shatter.

Eranor lay in the cavern, in human form again, rubble upon him. The ceiling had collapsed, and a boulder buried the old man's legs. Blood stained his long, once-white beard.

"Father!"

Jeid rushed forward and knelt by the old druid. Eranor was still alive, his breath ragged. The old man managed to focus his eyes on Jeid and clasp his hand.

"My son . . ." His voice was a mere whisper.

Maev and Tanin rushed into the cave too and knelt by their grandfather. Tears filled their eyes.

"Tell me what to do." Jeid clutched his father's hand. "Tell me how to heal you."

Eranor smiled—an almost wistful smile. "This body cannot be healed. Do not weep for me. I am old and I've lived longer than most. I lived to see Requiem rise." He closed his eyes. "In my mind I can see it—a great kingdom of dragons. You will lead them, Jeid. Lead them to hope, to light."