They slept a few hours, then woke at sunrise and sparred some more. When they took another break, Maiven asked Thisbe and Rohan, “Do you suppose the second meteor struck in this sea and became the impetus for the Island of Fire volcano?”

“I’ve never read about that happening in our history books,” said Thisbe, who wasn’t sure what “impetus” meant, but she could guess based on the rest of the conversation. “Though that would explain the connection.” She told them how the people of Quill hadn’t been allowed to write anything down or tell stories for many decades because of High Priest Justine’s heavy-handed rule and fear of creativity, so much of their history had been lost.

“There would have to have been several more meteors to create all of the volcano portals you mentioned going past,” Rohan mused. He took a swig of water from his canteen and wiped his lips on the cuff of his sleeve. “We only know of two from our books, but just the one volcano formed.”

“The other place we ended up in felt like a totally different world, unconnected from us,” Thisbe explained. “It seems to me like no one around here would have known if a meteorite had struck there and formed some sort of volcano.” She shuddered. “I don’t really have any desire to go back to hang out with that giant eel.”

“Giant eel?” asked Maiven.

Thisbe described the gray world for Maiven and told her what had happened there. “The eels have been in these waters too. They must travel through the volcanos. But that lake in the gray world seemed like it might be their home base. There wasn’t anything else alive around there that we could see, except for some plants.”

Maiven furrowed her brow. “I don’t wish to visit that world, thank you,” she said. “We have enough darkness in our own right now to contend with.” She tapped her lips, then murmured, “We need tea.” A moment later Reza was heating up a tin vessel of water with his fiery breath for Maiven to make tea. Everyone took a moment to refresh and rejuvenate while enjoying the scenery.

Rohan wore a thoughtful look. “Maiven,” he said, “when the Revinir had us and the dragons working together in the castle while under her mind control, did that mean the proper leaders had taken over Grimere again? And if so, why didn’t the ghost dragons die?”

“Clearly not,” said Maiven. “As Gorgrun and Quince might be able to tell you, the true leaders will only be able to retake control when the black-eyed humans and the dragons are in their fully functioning minds. Then the dragons must choose a leader.”

“And what about the black-eyed people?” asked Prindi. “Do they choose a leader too?”

“We already have one,” said Rohan. “Maiven Taveer is our queen.”

Prindi was abashed. “I meant to ask if there was a process or ritual for the official choosing,” she said quietly.