“You tell me, Dragon Father. I heard an explosion. The next thing I knew, I woke up to find myself lying in a pool of my own blood underneath a house. Marcus and Evelina were gone. Outside, everything was in chaos, with people yelling and screaming and digging bodies out of the rubble. No one was interested in me, so I crawled out of the wreckage and came back here. I must have passed out again, because the next I know, one of your lunatic monks is bending over me, babbling at me.

“I’ve answered your questions, Father. Now you can answer mine. Where is my brother? Where is Evelina? Were they killed in the explosion? And where is Draconas? I think I have a right to know—considering that all three want me dead.”

Grald was silent. Ven guessed the dragon was trying to decide how much to reveal, how much to keep to himself.

“You have nothing to fear from any of them, Dragon’s Son,” Grald said at last. “You are right about your brother. The king’s son is soft and weak and gullible. He is running back to the arms of his papa, and I will let him run. He has the girl with him. Soon”— Grald’s lips twisted in what passed with him for a smile—”you will have your revenge on both of them.”

“Good,” Ven said, though he wondered what that meant. He waited, hoping Grald would fill in the details.

“As for any harm that might come to you,” Grald continued, “the monks will protect you—if you let them.”

Ven scowled and shook his head.

“Meanwhile, you must rest, return to health. When you are stronger, I will tell you everything you need to know.”

The dragon departed. He sent the monk back in.

Ven ordered the monk back out, telling him to shut the door and leave him alone. The monk did as the dragon’s son commanded. He didn’t go far, however. Ven heard shuffling feet outside his door—two monks taking up their positions. At least two.

Ven lay back down, exhausted by the mental struggle; as drained as if he and the dragon had battled physically—an unpleasant thought that gave him pause. Someday, if he was to fulfill his oath and avenge his mother, he would have to battle the dragon, a fight that would be both physical and mental.

Ven had no idea how this was to be accomplished. He was not ready for such a battle. He knew enough about the dragon-magic to defend himself against Grald, but that was all. Ven thought back to the time when Draconas had offered to teach him about the magic. The child, Ven, had refused. He didn’t want the dragon-magic that was part of him, as he didn’t want the dragon legs, the dragon claws, the dragon-blood.