The southern princess took a deep breath. She clutched her braid like a drowning woman holding on to a rope dangling off a boat. "I read about them in ancient clay tablets. All royal children of Eteer know the tale. Many years ago, the first Eteerian King imprisoned the Queen of Demons, the creature named Angel. She was once a being of great piety and light, a daughter of Taal himself, banished from his realm for her cruelty. In her underground prison, she bred and festered, creating a host of many creatures. She and her minions are bound to the throne of Eteer. Whoever sits upon that throne can command them." Issari took a shuddering breath. "For generations, no king or queen dared free this unholy legion. Until my father." She grimaced. "He hates Vir Requis so much—those he calls weredragons—that he summoned the demons to hunt us. I myself am one of your number."

Shakily, Issari rose to her feet, took a deep breath, and shifted. White scales flowed across her, gleaming like mother of pearl. Snowy horns budded upon her head, and her claws clattered against the marble tiles. She looked at Jeid with deep green eyes. When the dragon spoke, the same high, soft voice emerged from her jaws.

"You see now why I fled Eteer. Why he hunts me and Laira. Why he hunts Sena." Suddenly Issari blinked, looked around, and tilted her head. "Where is Sena? Laira . . . where is our brother?"

Jeid fell silent. Laira—the young woman stood nearby among her fellow Goldtusk hunters—lowered her head, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

The white dragon stared from side to side,. Tears welled in her own eyes and flowed down her scaly cheeks.

"Is Sena . . ." Issari trembled, scales clattering, and lost her magic. She knelt as a human, raised her head, and cried out hoarsely. "Sena!"

Laira rushed toward her sister and embraced her. They whispered soft words to each other, weeping together.

Jeid was about to approach them, to try to speak comforts, when a hand grabbed his arm. He turned to see Alina, the young druid. She stared at him from the shadows of her lavender hood. Her eyes, the same color as her raiment, seemed to shine with inner light.

"My king, I have prayed to the stars, and their light has shone before me, illuminating a secret in the west. More hide there." Alina pulled back her hood, revealing long auburn hair that cascaded around her pale, oval face. Strings of beads hung from her staff, chinking in the wind. "Rumors of dragons in the west travel across the land, not only in the whispers of stars but also the talk of men. We must seek their aid if we are to fight."