Branna tossed her glowing staff to Valandario and grabbed the sack she’d brought across with her. She pulled out a cloak and darted forward to lay it over Rhodry, then brought another for Dallandra, who’d fallen, exhausted, to her knees.

“Val, the silver horn,” Dallandra said. “We’ve got to get him into a warm bed.”

Valandario sounded the silver horn while Branna and Grallezar wrapped the unconscious Rhodry in a second cloak as well. The young dragon, slender enough to walk gracefully, came over to them and bowed her head.

“My thanks,” she said. “Avain wants to fly now.”

“I’ll take her back to my clutch.” Arzosah waddled over and looked at the man lying wrapped on the ground. “Will he live?”

“I hope so,” Dallandra said. “After all of this effort, he’d better!”

Arzosah rumbled in laughter, then touched Rhodry gently with her massive nose. “Sleep well, Rhodry Dragonfriend,” she said. “Soon you’ll see me again, and our young son will have a mate, once he’s grown.”

Ye gods! Branna thought, she’s as bad as Aunt Galla!

Avain followed as Arzosah waddled some distance away. They spread their wings, then leaped into the air and flew, heading north and west to rejoin the royal alar. As their wingbeats died away, Branna heard the bronze gong as the dragon boat glided up to the shore.

The three elder dweomermasters picked up Rhodry and carried him out to the boat. Branna watched as Lon helped them lie him down in the bow. The three women knelt around Rhodry as with a shout, the rowers turned the boat and bent to the oars. Branna watched them as they glided into the mists that shrouded the island and disappeared.

Even though Valandario would be contacting Salamander and Niffa to tell them, and thus the royal alar, how things had gone with the working, Branna decided that she wanted to tell Neb herself. She’d stayed behind since she lacked the skill to contact him through Haen Marn’s vortex. When she sent her mind out to Neb, she found him awake. His image, bright with candlelight, built up fast, floating on the dark waters.

“We’ve done it,” she said. “Rori’s Rhodry again, and we’ve all survived.”

“That gladdens my heart,” Neb said, “but not half as much as seeing you unharmed gladdens it. Are you truly well?”

“I am, just tired.” She stifled a yawn. “Well, exhausted, actually. Where are you?”

“Still some miles from the Melyn. You know how alarli travel, and the Cerr Cawnen folk are worse. Still, we’ll be there soon, by my reckoning.”

“I’ll join you there. It’s only been a few days, but I’ve missed you so much!”