“She’s the one who paid with dragon gold,” Kindan said, misunderstanding her question and glancing sympathetically toward Lorana. He glanced back to Fiona and dropped his eyes, ashamed of his words.

Her eyes were attracted to a shiny brooch worn on his breast—it was a gold harp! Her brooch made real and delivered.

M’tal followed her gaze. His face was more lined than she remembered.

“Now, perhaps, Kindan,” he said with a gleam in his eyes, “I should explain to you why I asked you to wear that brooch today.”

“You look so like her,” Kindan said half in apology, half in sorrow.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Fiona said. “She was my sister.”

“You look so old,” Kindan persisted, then M’tal’s words registered and he looked down at the brooch. “The brooch?”

M’tal smiled. “This young lady found the gold that went into it,” he explained. “Although it was not until much later that I realized who she really was.”

Kindan frowned in thought for a moment then looked up at Fiona accusingly. “You timed it to Igen?”

“I did,” Fiona said, turning her attention back to Lorana. The ex-dragonrider looked tired.

A young woman leaped down from the large queen—she looked about Fiona’s age—and rushed over to the group. Her skin was darker than Lorana’s; she looked to have trader blood like Shaneese, she had the same bright, dark eyes, the same white teeth, and the same light air of cultivated assurance.

“Jeila, Tolarth’s rider,” the girl said by way of introduction. She glanced toward Kindan, then Fiona. “Did you say you timed it to Igen?”

Fiona held up a hand. “Later, please,” she said, moving toward Lorana. “Let’s see to the dragons.”

“They all need the serum,” M’tal said as he followed. “It will not only cure the illness but prevent it.”

“Lorana developed it,” Kindan added, with pride in his tone.

Lorana was preparing a third syringe.

“What do I do?” Fiona asked.

“Jab it in your dragon’s hide, then plunge the liquid in,” Lorana said. She gave Fiona a half-smile as she added, “It won’t hurt—”

“Dragon hide is thick,” Fiona joined in to finish in unison. Lorana’s smile widened but did not quite reach her eyes.

Fiona wanted to ask her all sorts of questions, but she felt Lorana’s detachment and determination and settled for a quick, light touch of thanks on the older woman’s shoulder before rushing off to Talenth.

Didn’t I tell you? Talenth said cheerfully, not even reacting as Fiona jabbed her and plunged the life-saving dragon ichor into her neck.

How did you know?

You told me.

Before Fiona could overcome her shock at Talenth’s declaration, Terin rushed up to her, breathless, eyes huge. “There’s a cure?”

Fiona nodded.

“That’s it?”

Fiona nodded again. She gestured toward the others. “Lorana discovered it.”

“And Ladirth?”