I have no power over matter, child of starlight, spoke a voice in her head. Only thought. Only dreams. And not only the minds of men.

Soil fell from the walls, and rustling rose all around. A hundred holes broke open in the dirt walls between the roots. Noses and whiskers twitched. A hundred mice scurried into the chamber.

Dorvin squealed like a little girl. "Stars damn it! Get them away from me!" He began to hop around, sweat on his brow, as the mice raced around his feet. "Get them away, get them away!"

Maev rolled her eyes and snorted. "Bloody bollocks, Dung Beetle. Is the brave warrior scared of mice?"

The dark-haired young man grimaced and hopped around. "They're climbing me! Mammoth Arse, bite them off!"

The mice were not climbing only Dorvin; the rodents were scurrying up everyone's legs. Alina laughed as their fur tickled her, and she smiled because she knew that there were greater powers in this world, powers large and small that looked after her even in the darkness. Little teeth worked at the ropes binding her. All across the chamber, the mice chewed, and the bonds fell to the ground.

"Thank you, Shenhavan," she whispered, touching the roots of the tree, and she felt the warmth against her palm. She turned toward the other prisoners, their limbs free. "Stand back, friends. Stand against the wall. Make room."

The prisoners obeyed. Maev had to guide Dorvin backward; he was still slapping at his clothes, shuddering, and muttering about still feeling whiskers against him. Once they were all pressed against the opposite wall, Alina summoned her magic. Her body grew, unencumbered by the ropes. Her scales clanked. Fire filled her mouth. A lavender dragon, she raised her claws and began to dig.

She carved a tunnel, reaching far into the soil, digging through the earth, and the prisoners followed behind her.

She dug for a long time, letting the starlight inside her guide her, until she rose and emerged into a dark forest. Cold air flowed into her lungs, and the moon shone above between the branches. When Alina climbed out of the tunnel, she could see Bar Luan behind her; she had dug their way out of the city, and its pyramids and walls rose silver beyond the dark trees. She released her magic, returning to human form, and the others emerged into the night and stood around her. Alina raised her staff, and the starlight shone into its crystal and grew, a beacon for the others to circle, a light to guide her flock.

She climbed onto a fallen log and gazed upon her people. She spoke softly in the night.