“Do you know what has to happen in order for two new rulers to take over this land? Is there any sort of ritual… or something… that we have to go through?” Maybe in a deserted place where we must travel alone? she wanted to add. “Perhaps it has something to do with the ghost dragons,” she speculated aloud, wanting to give Rohan a minute to think, “since they’re the ones who want to be able to leave this life and pass along their duties to the next generation.”

Rohan didn’t waver. “You are correct. The two partners must go to the cavelands to announce their partnership before the ghost dragons and assure them that the next generation is ready to serve,” he said. “It’s in the history books.”

Thisbe gave a mysterious shrug at the Revinir. “I guess we didn’t read our history books, did we?” she said snidely.

The Revinir chuckled. “Why didn’t we ask him in the first place? We’re going to have to fly if we’re to get there by dark.”

“Do you want to dismiss everyone first?” Thisbe asked her. “We can just tell them it’s done, right? They won’t know the difference.”

“I like that plan.” The Revinir shouted out to everyone in the area that all was said and done. And she announced, “Everyone who has taken dragon-bone broth, please report to the castle in two days for a remedy.” She turned to Thisbe and explained, “I have the bones being delivered from the catacombs tonight.” And then the Revinir let out a little snarl. “I suppose we should mingle as people are leaving so they think we’re decent.”

Thisbe nodded. “Good idea.” But she was preoccupied. At least the Revinir wasn’t too mad about nothing happening, but what would she do when nothing happened in the cavelands and the ghost dragons had no idea what was going on? Thisbe would have to take her chance there. Once this was all over, hopefully the red dragons around the palace would snap out of their mind control and leave, and Fifer and Dev could get out of there and rescue Thisbe and Rohan, who’d be stuck in the cavelands once all of the ghost dragons disappeared forever. Success was on Thisbe’s mind now, squelching out the doubt.

In Rough Shape

In the palace courtyard, Fifer and Dev were limp and unresponsive. Florence, keeping up her no-nonsense warrior facade, did what she could to make them comfortable. Then she rifled through Fifer’s robe and component vest pockets, looking for the healing kit. She found it but also found the empty cube that had stored an obliterate component and the paper on which Thisbe had written instructions.