“We fight them,” said Sorrow viciously. “I was thinking we could barricade ourselves in here. Keep the little ones safe—”

“For how long?” Ven demanded. “How long can you hold out against these warriors and the dragon? I’ve seen these warriors, Sorrow, and so have you. They are powerful in the magic, and they’ve been taught to use it in battle. There are hundreds of them and only you and Lucien. You two are the only children who are old enough to fight.”

“And you,” said Sorrow.

Ven shook his head. “I can’t use the magic.”

“You used it to kill our father!”

“I had help,” Ven said grimly. He didn’t say who, but Sorrow recalled the human who had invaded her mind, the human who had claimed to be Ven’s brother.

“Maybe we could reason with the dragon,” Lucien suggested, his voice trembling.

“There’s no reasoning with Maristara or with the humans. I know,” Ven said. “I’ve tried both. We have to get out of here. All of us.”

“But there’s nowhere to go!” Sorrow protested. “There are hiding places in the mountain, but, eventually, they will find us—

“We have to leave the mountain.”

Sorrow felt as if all the air had been punched out of her. “But . . . this is our home.”

“If you stay, it will be your tomb,” said Ven.

Sorrow shivered. Death seemed easier to face than the terror of venturing out into the unknown. Lucien moved near her. His hand sought hers, and she clasped it spasmodically. They stood holding on to each other for comfort, staring at Ven, as though he could make everything right again, make this all go away.

His stern expression softened. “I know what it is to leave the safety of the darkness and venture into the sunlight. You can do it. I did it. And I will be with you.”

Sorrow saw the little ones in their bed, waking in bewilderment when they felt the heat of the fire lick their bodies, and then the bewilderment turning to terror and pain as the flames began to consume them.

Slowly, shaking, she nodded.

“Sorrow, wake the others. Don’t frighten them. Tell them we’re going on an adventure, an outing. The older children must carry those who can’t walk or can’t keep up. Lucien, we’ll need food for the journey. And rope.”

“Water?” asked Lucien, starting out the door.

Ven shook his head. “We won’t need it. We’ll be traveling by way of the river.”

Lucien left. As long as someone was in charge, telling Lucien what to do, he was content. Sorrow envied him.

“Where are you going to take us?” she asked.

“To the last place Maristara would expect us to go—her own kingdom.”