“There are plenty of dragons,” Dev assured her. “They’re just all under the Revinir’s mind control, so they don’t know that they should fight against her, not for her.”

“What about that handsome dark purple specimen? Didn’t he bring you here? My mind is fuzzy.”

“Drock? Right—he’s the only one who can resist it. He’s different. Like me, I guess.”

The dragon smiled, her cheeks pulling back to reveal frightful rows of sharp teeth. “What is your name, please?”

“I’m Dev,” he reminded her, and grew bold. “From the line of Suresh. I—I think.”

“And I am Astrid,” she said with pride.

“Oh,” said Dev, pretending not to know. “How nice to meet you. Would you like the rest of my fish?”

“How nice to meet you,” said Astrid, accepting it. She swallowed it in one gulp, bones and all. “Have you heard about the evil Revinir?”

Dev blinked. “No,” he said. “Tell me everything.”

“I’ve just recently learned of her from another young man who was here.” Astrid relayed the entire story back to Dev, missing only a few small points. It gave Dev a sense of relief and hope that she’d remember it.

By the time the fire was low, Dev looked in the direction of the palace, calculating what he’d need for his journey, for he was becoming more and more determined to find the palace that haunted his mind. “Does the river run all the way to the palace?” he asked.

“What palace?”

“The bulbous purple-and-orange one.”

“Ah yes. With the gilded rooftops. Such a beauty.”

“Yes, that’s the one. Does this river run to it?”

“I believe it does. Though it’s been some decades since I’ve been in that area.”

Dev perked up at the news that the river would be accessible. That would help, at least. He could lie around in these caves in pain, or try to do something productive. There was little difference in his mind. And he could survive anywhere if the river was with him. “In that case… I may need to take my leave in the near future. I—I thank you for helping me. I’m feeling so much better.”

“Leave?” said Astrid. She stood up and fire shot from her nostrils. “And just moments after we first met. That’s a shame.”

Dev ducked. “If you’d like,” he said slyly, “you could go with me. We could fly there.”

“Really?” Astrid exclaimed. “Where?”

Dev groaned inwardly but plastered a smile on his face. “To the palace. The purple-and-orange one. With the golden roofs.”

Astrid smiled. “Why, Dev! I thought you’d never ask. I’d be delighted. I haven’t been anywhere in ages.” But then her face darkened. “We’ll have to stay clear of Grimere, though—have you heard? It’s been taken over by the evil Revinir.”

On the Fly

Simber and his full load of riders returned to the Quillitary yard, where Florence was demonstrating all the fire-related spells she could think of to the black-eyed children and Maiven Taveer. After Simber and his team’s invisibility spells wore off, Florence greeted them and invited them to join in the training.