Florence,

Thank goodness you’re coming. Yes, Thisbe knows that. But she took a hard fall early on and has been a bit out of sorts ever since, talking about being more evil than good. Then she mumbled something yesterday about there being another way…. I didn’t know what she meant by that until she disappeared with one of the Revinir’s dragons. I’m afraid she has something sinister in mind. I’m sick about it—this isn’t the Thisbe everyone knows.

Fifer

She sent it. Then she sighed deeply and looked at Dev. “Tell me this is going to work.”

Dev held her gaze. And though his face remained troubled, he answered, “It will.”

While they waited for the birds, both of them a little on edge, Fifer studied Dev. He’d seemed especially moody since Thisbe had left. Dev didn’t notice her—he was staring at the nearest dragon, the one at the back corner where the orchard met the river. He could feel his scales rise as he brought heat and fire to his throat and let it simmer there. After a minute he made a low growling sound.

Fifer grew alarmed. “Was that you?”

Dev nodded, not wanting to speak as he tried to make the roar come out louder and more forcefully. All the while he watched the dragon. It was hard to roar like a dragon without feeling ridiculous. He wasn’t sure how to get the grisly roll of sounds to build and expand in his chest rather than in his throat.

He tried again, and it came out a little louder. The dragon didn’t seem to notice. Then Dev got to his feet. He jogged in place for a minute, then swung his arms wide to open his chest. Fifer watched him, half-intrigued and half-amused. What was he trying to do?

Dev took in a deep breath and held it while he brought the fire back up to boil in his throat. Then he flung his arms back and opened his mouth, letting out a mighty roar that surprised both of them.

It surprised the dragons, too. The nearest one started toward them.

“What are you doing?” Fifer whispered harshly. When the dragon kept coming, Fifer got up and started dragging Dev to the palace.

Dev pulled his arm away. “Watch,” he whispered. “Let’s see what happens.”

“What did you say to it?”

“I have no idea.”

Fifer watched as the dragon continued toward them. “This is a bad idea, Dev,” Fifer said. “It’s not part of our plan.”

“I know, but it could make the plan better.”

The dragon let out a roar of her own. Dev’s eyes widened. He roared back, and the dragon stopped and stared at the two of them. Then she opened her mouth and sprayed a line of fire at the grass in front of them, scorching it.