"I am Alina, a daughter of Requiem, a priestess of the Draco constellation. I do not deign to lead you, for you are now free souls. But I would offer to guide you. As I've guided you to freedom, I would guide you to a revival of starlight. Requiem lies in the east beyond the rivers and mountains, and she is a kingdom of dragons, of our kind. Three generations ago, the holy stars bequeathed a blessing unto the world, gifting their magic to only a few scattered souls. For three generations, we were hunted, imprisoned, feared—here in Bar Luan, in the eastern forests, even south in the seafaring realm of Eteer. For a hundred years, we thought we are alone, but we have found one another, and we rise." Tears filled her eyes. "Join me, my friends. Follow my light, the staff that glows with starlight. Follow me to a land of scales, wings, and fire—a land of dragons. Follow me to King's Column and to King Aeternum, and Requiem will shine with our all lights. You were born in Bar Luan, a land that imprisoned you; follow me across the wilderness to Requiem and find your pride and freedom."

The Vir Requis of Bar Luan conferred amongst themselves. Alina could not understand their words, but she could guess at their meaning. She had spoken the same words to Dorvin when they had left their tribe. All those who had made it to Requiem had left their homes with heartbreak and fear, but they had all chosen the path of the stars. So did these people. Auben detached himself from the others, approached Alina, and nodded.

"We fly with you."

Alina smiled. "We will fly. But not before we heal a friend."

She returned to Bar Luan then, holding her lit staff before her, and the others followed, her light guiding them. In the city they found the people in a daze, whispering, rubbing their eyes, finally woken from the nightmares that had plagued them for so long.

"There is no more fear underground," Alina said when the King of Bar Luan approached her, riding upon a palanquin. "The roots of Shenhavan no longer feed upon the nightmares of prisoners, no longer spread those nightmares in the pollen. We will fill the dungeon with soil, and we will let Shenhavan flourish again."

The old king, tears in his eyes, watched in wonder as his people crowded around, finally free of their long fever dream.