“And I say that you have not fought another dragon in so long that you do not remember what it is to do battle with one,” Grald returned, although in subdued tones. He could see the shadow of the elder dragon looming over him. “Draconas did with you what he did with me when I fought him—he cast a defensive spell that threw your magic back on itself, and then he turned tail and ran.”

“He had seconds only,” argued Anora. “He could not have gone far.”

“He apparently went far enough to help the son of Melisande escape through the magical gate,” Grald retorted.

“Enough of this bantering,” Anora said, suddenly weary. “We go round and round, like a fledgling chasing its tail, and we get nowhere. Here comes one of your mad monks. Perhaps he has something to report.”

The monk bowed obsequiously.

“Honored One—” the monk began.

“Yes, yes,” Grald interrupted impatiently. “Get on with it. What have you to report?”

“Honored One,” the monk continued, cringing, “your son has been found.”

“Ven? Where?” Grald demanded, tense, alert.

“In the Abbey, Honored One. He made it that far before he collapsed.”

“Collapsed?” Grald repeated. “Out with it, you ninny! What is wrong with him? Is he hurt?”

“He was stabbed, Honored One,” replied the monk in grave tones. “We found him lying on the floor of his room in a pool of blood. We do not know if he will survive.”

Grald cast a triumphant glance at Anora. “That rules out Ven having anything to do with Marcus’s flight!”

Anora cast him a withering glance. “I should think you would be much more concerned about the fact that this precious body of yours is bleeding to death.”

The dire reminder had the desired effect. Grald hastened off in alarm, leaving Anora alone. Once he was gone, she spoke to the third dragon of their triumvirate, Maristara, the dragon of Seth, who had started it all.

“I have to face facts,” Anora said reluctantly. She hated admitting to her mistakes. “Draconas has escaped me.”

“You know what he will do,” Maristara returned. “He will summon the Parliament and he will tell them everything. He will tell them about Dragonkeep, about the children. He will tell them about you, Anora, and how you have betrayed them.”

“I’m not betraying them,” Anora retorted. “I’m trying to save them! If they could only see that!”

“Now is the time for them to see. Pull the viper’s fangs.”

Anora pondered, thoughtful. “You’re right. Once they know the truth, have seen what we have seen—”

“—then Draconas is no longer a concern.”

“And while Parliament is in an uproar, ranting and raving and flapping their wings—”

“—we will prepare to strike. And once the first human kingdom is conquered and held firmly under our claws, our people will come to see that we are right. That our way is the only way.”