Sorrow could see the dragon’s thoughts, the colors swirling in Maristara’s mind, and they were much in accord with her own. You fear them, miserable human. You are jealous of them. Yet . . . Her gaze went to Grald’s carcass. Yet you are right. Too much is at stake to take a chance.

“Where is the Walker?” the Mistress asked abruptly.

Leopold answered reluctantly. “I ... I do not know, Mistress.

Grald kept him in line by threatening to slay the humans who had protected him. The Walker was the one who told me Grald had died. What could I do against him? I am no threat to the Walker. I saw him change into his dragon form, Mistress, and take to the skies.”

“You have lost both the Walker and the Dragon’s Son. Draconas discovered our plans for the war,” the Mistress said, glowering. “And Grald let him live! Yet another mistake!”

Leopold was defensive. “Grald was going to slay the Walker, Mistress, as soon as he took over Ven’s body. That way, the other dragons would blame Ven and not Grald—”

“Yes, yes.” The Mistress scowled at the dead dragon, her thoughts baleful. You wretched worm. You have come close to our undoing. All our carefully laid plans and now this! It is well you are dead, or I would murder you myself!

“Pardon me, Mistress,” said Leopold, “but if you are going to deal with the dragon’s children, you should do so now, while they are asleep.”

“I think you get above yourself, human,” returned the Mistress, drawing herself up. “I know what I am about. I do not need the likes of you to advise me.”

“No, Mistress, of course not,” said Leopold, chagrined. “I beg your forgiveness.”

The dragon made up her mind.

“You and your soldiers destroy the dragon’s children. I will take care of disposing of this mess.” She cast a scathing glance at the carcass.

Leopold frowned. “But, Mistress, would it not be better if you killed them?”

“No, it would not,” Mistress snapped. “Tell me, Commander, can you haul away this carcass, this monstrous lump of flesh and bone? Half the population of this city would be required to even lift the tail, much less dispose of it in such a way that no one will find out the truth of what happened.”

“I understand, Mistress,” said Leopold, though he did not look happy.

“Kill the children while they are sleeping. When they are dead, search for the Dragon’s Son.”

“Yes, Mistress,” replied Leopold. “What are my orders regarding him?”

“Kill him. Oh,” the Mistress added, as an afterthought, “and kill any of the human women who are pregnant.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Leopold bowed. “After that, I would like your leave to return to my shield-mate. I assume that war is imminent.”

“You assume right.”