The people of Ramsgate tended their wounded and buried their dead with hymns of praise, and celebrated their salvation in the church that evening. Their major concern was what to do with the carcass of the dragon, which would soon start to rot. They would have to cut down a forest of trees to find enough wood to burn it, and the smoke created by such a conflagration would smother the populace if the wind was in the right direction.

As it turned out, they did not have to worry. The day after the battle, a dozen dragons appeared in the skies, led by one dragon with flaring red scales. The dragons created a magical web that sparkled like stars as it dropped down from their claws and settled over the carcass. The dragons lifted up the body, cradled in the starry web, and bore it away with them. All that remained was the enormous crater that the body’s fall had gouged into the earth.

Ever after, the site would be known as Dragon Downs.

In the days that followed, Marcus and Ven spent much of their time together, and they were often joined by Anna, the High Priestess of Seth. Ven and Anna between them told Marcus about Sorrow and Lucien and the other children. Marcus listened in awe, disturbed by what he heard, yet glad at least for Ven, that he had found something good in his life.

The three had only a few days together, for the warrior women of Seth were anxious to return to their home. They feared that dragons might attack the kingdom in their absence. Ven, too, was eager to return to his family.

The king gave the women of Seth as many gifts as they would accept, and he and his knights paid them every honor as they were about to depart.

“I thank you and your people for all you have done for us,” said Edward to the High Priestess, as she prepared to take her place in the chariot that would bear her home. “Without your help, we would not have survived. And,” he added, with a smile that lit the hazel eyes, “I look forward to the alliance of our two kingdoms.”

The High Priestess of Seth and the Prince of Idylswylde smiled at each other. Sometimes rulers do have a say in who they marry.

“As do I, my soon-to-be Daughter,” said Ermintrude, giving the young woman a tender embrace. The dimples were back, undaunted.

King and Queen bid a more reserved farewell to Ven. Neither of them could ever feel completely comfortable around their son’s half-brother. Ermintrude, especially, had trouble knowing what to do with her eyes, which kept going, despite her best efforts, to the clawed, scale-covered feet.

“Whatever will we do with him at the wedding?” she asked her husband in a low voice, as they walked back to the palace. “My father will die of the shock.”