Drock didn’t find Dev, but he found a ghost dragon named Astrid who looked familiar from the day Drock had brought Dev here. She seemed to have a faint recollection of a boy who’d stayed a night or two. After Drock described Dev, Astrid began to remember a little more, until she recalled a strange moment when she said Dev had tied a long braid of grass around her talon. She couldn’t remember why, though.

“That’s strange,” said Drock. “Where did he get long grass around here?” The cavelands bordered a desert. The forest was beyond it, but not conveniently close to the area where the ghost dragons dwelled.

Astrid squeezed her eyes shut, thinking hard. And then they flew open. “It wasn’t here!” she exclaimed. “It was by the palace! Yes! The Devastator—that’s what I called him. He’s at Ashguard’s palace. And he told me to tell some dragon named Drock to find him there.”

“That would be me,” said Drock. “Many thanks, Astrid.”

“The recent stuff is more difficult to remember,” said Astrid.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean things that just happened are impossible to recall. But I can tell you what happened forty years ago.”

Drock smiled kindly. “Perhaps you could do that sometime.”

Astrid looked at him. “Do what?”

Drock’s smile didn’t fade, but he changed the subject. “I was wondering if you would like to take another trip to the palace to look for Dev. Our friend Florence needs a ride. She’s standing right over there, the tall black warrior statue. We want to give Gorgrun and Quince a little break after all the flying they’ve done lately.”

“I would be delighted,” said Astrid. Together the two dragons walked over to where Florence was gathering up items to take with her. She had some ropes from their supply chest and a sturdy sack of components for Fifer, including plenty of send components so they could stay in touch without worry. Drock introduced Astrid and let Florence know that Dev had last been seen at the palace too.

“That’s strange,” said Florence. “He’s not there now. Fifer said she was alone.”

“Perhaps he’s hiding in the surrounding area if there are dragons there,” said Drock, looking worried. “I hope he’s all right. I told him to stay out of Grimere at all costs. The Revinir thinks she threw him out the tower window to his death, but I managed to grab him just in time.”

Florence gazed at the adolescent dragon. “You’ve turned into quite a hero, Drock,” she said. “We are grateful for all you’re doing to help us. And we’re eager to get your mother and siblings out of the Revinir’s grip.”