“I’m tempted,” said Fifer, who was currently, unfortunately, not carrying anything to catch fish with. “I’d use it for bait if I had a hook.” She paused and glanced at the fireplace. “The fire still has embers. I’m going to light it.” She stared hard out the window for another few seconds as the person disappeared into darkness and fog. Then she turned and went to the fireplace, using her uninjured hand to stoke the embers and add more wood to it. Soon the fire was crackling merrily and making shadows dance around the rotunda.

“This would almost be pleasant if my ankle didn’t hurt so much,” said Thisbe. “And if we weren’t surrounded by dragons. Do you think we should do another send spell? I’m worried Florence or whoever is coming after us lost track of us. They definitely should have been here by now, wouldn’t you say?”

“Hmm.” Fifer turned away from the fire and went over to the corner where the musical instruments were. She kept her face hidden because it was dripping with guilt. She knew she needed to come clean with Thisbe, but she was still struggling in her own mind to understand why she’d told Florence not to come. “I don’t want to waste components,” she said, but she knew it was a silly reason. If the others had actually followed them, as Thisbe believed and expected, of course they’d waste a send spell to make sure the twins could be located.

“But then again, if they’re lost, why haven’t they responded?” Thisbe sat up higher, her voice edged with worry. “Maybe they’re just trying to figure out how to handle the dragons.” She turned to look out the east window and could just make out the northeast corner’s dragon in the darkness. “Or… do you think the Revinir was telling the truth about no one following us?”

“Maybe Florence is worried about revealing that they’re coming,” said Fifer, cringing as she lied. “They might not know that the Revinir isn’t with us anymore.”

“You’re sure she’s not here?”

“I looked all around the courtyard. In every direction. There are four red dragons, and that’s it.”

“Then maybe I should just send a message to Rohan again. Or Florence. What did you say to her when you sent yours?”

Fifer cringed again and picked up a roundish instrument with strings. She plucked it with one finger, making a face when she realized how out of tune it was and realizing she couldn’t tune it very easily with one hand. “Ugh, this is terrible.” She didn’t answer Thisbe’s question. She couldn’t remember exactly what the Revinir had said that had triggered Fifer’s rash actions. But a strange and scary idea had formed. What if they did join the Revinir’s side?

“Fifer?” said Thisbe.

Fifer jerked around. “What?”

“Are you okay?”