Dev read it. “Just like we talked about.” He scrutinized it again. “Yes, it’s good. She’s going to ask why Thisbe would join the Revinir when she knows the two of them can’t take control of things due to the rules.”

“Exactly,” said Fifer, looking up at Dev. She took a deep breath and let it out. “Ready?”

“Whenever you are,” said Dev.

Fifer replaced the pencil and rolled up the note, then concentrated on Florence. A moment later the component flew from Fifer’s hand, down the staircase, and out across the yard. It went due east, leaving a tiny trail of smoke behind it that soon disappeared. The risky plan was in motion. Time would tell whether they were ready for the consequences.

“Well,” said Dev after a moment. “That’s done. Ready to call in the birds?”

Fifer nodded. “Since we’re not sure how long it’ll take them to get here, I think we should do it now.” She let out a shrill whistle that nearly pierced Dev’s ears. “Let’s go outside near the orchard. That’ll be a good place for them to roost.”

The two friends went down to the yard. It was strange to have one of the dragons missing, leaving a long gap almost big enough to make a run for it. They both noticed it and looked at each other, but neither said it. It wasn’t needed. There was nowhere to escape to. Every civilized place available would be too difficult to navigate. And it would take only a few steps or wing flaps for a dragon to catch up to them.

They sat on the grass and waited. The last time Fifer had seen the birds was right after the Revinir had abducted her and Thisbe. The dragon-woman had tragically killed several of them, and Fifer had ordered the rest to retreat. They were magical, so there was a chance they could travel much faster than normal birds. And sometimes they followed her, but she hadn’t seen so much as a single red-and-purple feather since they’d retreated, so she assumed they were still in Artimé, waiting for their next command. Fifer hoped they were able to hear her whistle from this far away. They hadn’t failed her yet.

After a while a glowing ball of light came zooming past the dragons and stopped in front of Fifer. She reached for it, and it melted into a note in her hand.

Dear Fifer,

What? How? Doesn’t Thisbe understand that without support from the dragons and the black-eyed people, they can’t rule anything? This is madness! Something sounds fishy.

I’m coming with a small contingent. Stay safe.

Florence

Fifer grimaced. “Yikes. She doesn’t believe it.”

“We expected that,” Dev pointed out. “Now you respond.”

Fifer took the pencil and added on to the conversation.