The more she imagined the scene, the more she felt like she should go. Maybe there was a way for Drock to sneak away without the Revinir noticing. Or . . . what about the ghost dragons? Perhaps they could at least get Thisbe across the gorge and help her find Spike, who could take her to Artimé. If only she could get the ghost dragons to come.

“What a disaster,” Thisbe said under her breath. In her mind, the images that had plagued her in the past now seemed like part of her, and the scenes randomly flashed at the edges of her sight. One was of ghost dragons flying and marching together over the market square. When she’d first seen it, that scene had been a vision of the future, Thisbe realized now. Something that hadn’t happened yet, as opposed to the other images that told part of a story from long ago. Someday maybe she’d be able to tell the difference between past and future. And maybe understand the premonitions, too.

As she ate, the images of ghost dragons flipped through her mind. Could Gorgrun and Quince help her? And would they? It would be a long, dangerous, and potentially fruitless walk to find them in the cavelands. If only she knew what she’d done before to call to them.

She pulled out the message from Florence and studied it, then held her pencil poised to respond. But she didn’t write anything. She still didn’t know what to say. Should she stay or should she go? With a sigh, she slid the items back into her pocket and cleaned up her dishes, then went to find the others and learn more about sword fighting. Perhaps she’d have a chance to teach them a few things too.

A Surprise Visitor

Later, Thisbe and Maiven met again, this time to talk about what was happening in Artimé. Maiven offered Thisbe support in her decision, whatever it was, but agreed that trying to find Drock right now would only serve to antagonize the Revinir and send her chasing after them again. They also agreed that the only viable option to get Thisbe across the gorge, if she decided to go, was if a ghost dragon would take her. But the length of the journey to find them was daunting.

“It’ll take two days on foot at least,” said Maiven. “And dragons will be searching everywhere for any sign of you. Perhaps . . . I should go.”

“You?” said Thisbe, alarmed. But the old woman who’d seemed so frail after years in the dungeon had regained her strength. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.