The leather-bound book in question seemed old. Looking at it, I realized half the bookcase held its twins. “How many…” I glanced back at him. “How many Devoran prophecies are there?”

“Many more than this. But I’m an enthusiastic reader.”

“The twentieth year of the hawk and the lion. By what calendar?”

“If Relos Var is right—” Azhen Kaen reached out and flicked a finger off the tip of my nose before I could dodge away. “You are the lion. Which means we only have a few more years to go before Morios wakes. We’re running out of time. And I for one don’t intend to let Morios—the dragon of swords—destroy Atrine before I can conquer it. Atrine, you realize, means—”

“The Silver Blade.” I leaned back in case he felt like any more nose-touching. “I know. Every Joratese child knows what Atrin Kandor’s name means. And so, what are you going to do about it?”

“Not a thing.”

I waited for the further explanation, but none presented itself. “What?”

“I’m not going to do a thing,” Kaen said, “because Var doesn’t think I’m ready. And since he doesn’t think I’m ready, he’s under no obligation to open a gate to a location I don’t know. Despite its name, ‘Lake’ Jorat is an inland sea. Even for a dragon as monstrous as Morios, finding him on my own would be impossible. Never mind how Duke Xun would misinterpret my search as something more sinister. Say, an invasion.”

“Relos Var’s your…” I flailed. “He works for you, doesn’t he?”

“He supports me. I can’t force his apprentice, Senera, to tell me where to find Morios. Relos Var has so far refused to help too; the time isn’t right, whatever that means.” He saluted me with his tea. “I’m starting to think the real problem is that I’d assumed I would be the one to slay a dragon, and Relos Var has someone else in mind.” He gave me a pointed look. “It doesn’t have to be me, after all.”

I felt a weight settle down through my core. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t have to march in and save Jorat. The High Council won’t lightly hand over one dominion’s governing to another dominion’s ruler. They want to keep the dominions separated. Never mind the Joratese distrust of Yor. But if a Joratese saved the day and slew Morios, if—for example—the famous hero Janel Danorak did it … I have a funny feeling the high general wouldn’t contest your claim.”

I cast about for excuses. “But apparently I’m not Joratese.”

He dismissed the excuse. “The Joratese think you’re one of them. You’ll be hailed as a hero.”