She didnt tell her sister about the dragons egg, and what it could have done for her. She wouldnt be able to explain it. Lenore would assume that shed done the wrong thing, would want to know why shed thrown her life away like that.

Nerra wouldnt be able to explain it, but she knew that the world was better with the dragon in it… even if it cost her life.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Bern sat with people around him laughing and buying him drinks, the way they always did when he set himself down in the middle of a tavern. It wasnt that they liked him, Bern had no time for such things, but they knew what was good for them. One man who hadnt lay on the floor, several of his teeth spilled out across the dirty straw of it.

His friends stood around him, although they werent really friends, just men who were smaller and less violent than him, but who had worked out that being on his side was safer than not being. To be fair, most men were smaller and less violent than Bern; he was a mountain of a man who could crush a skull in his bare hands if it came to it, and had tattoos across both shoulders that wove their way down his arms as if to pick out the muscles. There were a lot to pick out. He kept his head shaved so there would be nothing for a man to grab onto to head butt him, while his face was pinched and roughened by the blows he had taken over the years.

He sat there at the center of attention, telling whatever stories he felt like, listening to the news that people brought him. People often brought him news, because theyd worked out that it was the one thing that Bern did pay for, and paid well. People assumed he didnt think, but hed found that thinking paid almost as well as hurting people.

He spotted the peasant boy instantly, because this wasnt the kind of place where young boys came in safely. One of Berns men moved to intercept him, but Bern pushed past, shouldering his man out of the way casually, because it wasnt like he mattered.

Youve something to tell me, he said, his voice rumbling.

The boy nodded. Bern produced a coin, holding it just out of reach.

Tell me then.

Its about Princess Nerra, the boy said.

How would you know a princess when you see one? Bern shot back. If youre wasting my time…

She goes into the woods a lot, the boy said. And Ive seen her coming out of the castle, its her.

It might be her or not. Probably the boy didnt know the difference between a princess and a scullery maid.

What about her? Bern demanded.

Theres… two things, the boy tried.