Aaron choked up. He hadn’t thought of immortality as a gift like that before. He’d mostly thought of how it would affect him, not how he could use it to affect others. The old scientist had taught him something else new in that moment. He took the man’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for steering my way and for sticking by me when I didn’t deserve it. I will try to do the same for Thisbe. And… for all the rest to come.”

“That is all you can do,” Ishibashi said. “We will do it together.”

“That’s what keeps me going,” said Aaron. “That I’m not alone in this.” They rode in silence for a while, side by side and hands linked, until Quince sniffed.

“Is everything okay, Quince?” Aaron asked him.

“Oh,” said Quince, turning his head to look at them. “That was such a beautiful sentiment. I… Thank you for having that conversation in my presence.”

The two men smiled at each other, and Ishibashi spoke up. “I believe you have a similar story to tell to the next generation of dragons.”

Quince didn’t answer, but he seemed thoughtful. A while later he said, “I can’t remember where we are going, but does it happen to have something to do with the Revinir?” It seemed like everything lately had something to do with her, so it was his best guess.

“It does,” said Aaron. “We’re looking for her and Thisbe.”

“Well, they’re right up ahead, flying toward the cavelands.”

Surprised, Aaron sat up and peered in front of them. He could see a tiny dot far ahead, moving sideways across their path. “I wonder why they’re going there,” Aaron mused. It seemed strange, and he could think of no reason that would bring the two out to such a desolate place. But maybe this was the opportunity Aaron was looking for. If the Revinir was traveling without a fleet of dragons surrounding her, there could be a chance to speak to Thisbe. To pour his heart out, or even simply give her a signal. A look. Something to express that he wanted her to come back to them. That he would welcome her, no matter what she did.

He watched the dot for a few moments, wanting to be sure of the Revinir’s flight path, then said, “Quince, let’s turn and meet them wherever they’re headed. It’s time to go into stealth mode.”

Delirious