She shoved him back, eyes stinging. "So you'll just send me off to safety, a herald of Requiem, rather than let me fight? I'm a fighter. I've fought and slain many rocs, demons, and tribesmen." She growled. "I'm the greatest warrior in Requiem."

"Which is why I need you with Dorvin and Alina," he said. "How can I send only two dragons on this mission? They need your help, Maev. And . . . I need you to watch over them." He lowered his voice. "I don't know that I can trust them. I need my own blood on every path we take."

Maev could scarcely believe his words. Across their camp, men and women were already becoming dragons and rising into the sky. They were heading out to war, yet how could Maev find glory far in the west? If demons could truly pick up the scent of dragons, they would surely follow the largest group north to Two Skull Mountain. That was where battle would rage. That was where Maev had to be. Not some guardian of two pups.

She looked at all the others. "So Tanin and Issari will return to Eteer and claim the throne; their glory will be eternal. So you and Laira will travel north to Two Skull Mountain, forge an alliance, and fight a great battle; forever your song will echo. And me?" She blinked furiously. "I'll be in the west, far from any epic battles, guarding a druid and a blockhead boy."

She watched as the two approached, both still in human form. Dorvin walked with a swagger, a crooked grin on his face, chattering about finding a new group to lead. His sister was more subdued; holding her druid's staff, Alina sang soft prayers. When they drew closer, Dorvin winked at Maev.

"Well, Maev, old beast," he said. "Looks like you and I part ways here." He puffed out his chest. "I'm off to find the others, become a hero, and win the war for us." He shook his head with mock sadness. "You probably won't survive long enough to see Alina and me return, what with all these demons swarming about, but you—"

"I'm going with you." Maev spat in disgust and glared at her father. "Not that I want to."

Dorvin's eyes widened and he raised his hands in indignation. "What?" He reeled toward Jeid too. "I'm not going west with her! I've seen feral mammoths less brutish than Maev. They smelled better too." He pinched his nose. "Don't send your daughter with me, old man, just because you want me to protect her."

Jeid's face reddened and he grabbed the young man's shoulders. "You got it backward, boy. I'm sending her to protect you. Maev has slain dozens of demons. You've killed one." He snorted. "Maev will lead you west and back. Try not to slow her down, pup."