“What windstorm?” said one of the Blue Guard, a man named Soren. “It was Bethem’s snoring that startled the horses.”

Bethem, whom Tisala knew as one of the best swordsmen in the Guard, spit on the ground. “ ’Twas naught but your wife—she’s scared the hides off braver animals than our horses.”

“It was a giant sea turtle a hundred feet long, blowing flame from his nose,” said another man. “Would have ate us all, but for Bethem’s snoring. It thought he were another giant turtle, even larger and more ferocious, so the monster turned and fled back into the sea.”

After a while the camp settled into a more normal atmosphere. The men cleaned their dishes and packed camp, saying nothing more about the incident, but there was a subtle, understated glee in their faces as they worked. Dragons, said each cheerful whistle, each blithe look, were a good thing for Hurogs.

Tisala finished her packing and walked to where Tosten was huddled with his uncle and cousin.

“We’re ready to ride,” she said.

Lord Duraugh looked at her, and with the air of a man ending an argument said, “I’ll get them started. Tosten and Beckram have an errand to run, and I’d like you to go with them.”

“But—” said Tosten.

“She already knows enough to ruin us if she wants to. If he came for the reason we all think he did, she might be able to help him. Now go, before he gets impatient and creates another incident.”

Tosten and Beckram mounted without another word. Tosten set out away from camp at a trot, not looking to see if Beckram and Tisala were following him.

As soon as they were out of sight of the camp, Ward’s wizard, Oreg, stepped out of the trees.

“I’ve bad news,” he said.

Tisala looked into his eyes, which were purple-blue, just as Tosten and his uncle’s were. Just as the dragon’s had been. And her speculation solidified—somehow Oreg and the dragon were one.

“It must be important,” said Beckram, sounding not at all like his normal self. His horse shifted uneasily, looking for whatever had disturbed its rider. “What happened?”

“I’m sorry,” said Oreg, looking from Tosten to Beckram. This was not the reserved, somewhat intimidating man Tisala knew from Hurog. This man was shaken and worried—and was apologizing for appearing in the middle of the camp in the guise of a dragon.

Not a guise,she thought, remembering Tosten’s reaction.Oreg was a dragon. A dragon who was supposed to be watching over Ward .

Tisala dismounted and gave a huff of disgust at the two Hurogs and the wizard. “Oreg, you have just shown me the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life, but if you don’t tell us what happened to Ward, I’ll kill you myself.”