1

 

You lied to me.

Sion’s words burned in my mind like a brand, and guilt assailed me.

I’m sorry, I said. I thought I was doing what was best.

Sion snorted. Being deceitful is never what is best.

Didn’t you tell me to lie to the wild dragons about Drakus?

I told you we should kill him. I never told you to lie about it.

I thought back to our conversation and realized she was right. The path I found myself on seemed to grow darker with each decision I made. What was I doing? I ground my teeth in frustration.

I’m sorry, I repeated.

Never lie to me again.

I swallowed hard, nodding, and the silence stretched between us. She still didn’t know about the orbs, but since they had been destroyed, I saw no point in telling her about them. She was already angry with me, and I didn’t want to infuriate her further.

We rested atop a hill, and I stared off into the distance. The sun burned hot, heat waves dancing a slow dance, shimmering everything in sight. We had reached the mainland late last night, and the wild dragons were exhausted. Maren and Demris were with them, resting outside the port city. I felt like we were wasting valuable time, but I knew we couldn’t push the poor dragons any harder.

Do you think the Citadel is still standing? I asked.

Master Anesko is a wise leader. I am sure he is keeping the king at bay.

I hoped that was true, though it was impossible to know for certain.

How long before they’ll be ready to fly again?

Sion hummed softly, the sound vibrating the ground beneath me.

Give them a few hours. We can still reach the Citadel before nightfall.

I stood up and stretched. I’ll be back.

Where are you going?

For a walk.

I strode down the hill, and I could feel Sion’s confusion filtering through the bond. I didn’t blame her. The way things were going recently had me confused as well. In trying to do what I thought was best, I continued to stumble. Perhaps it was best if I didn’t try to play leader. Clearly, I was failing miserably at it. And despite that, Sion and Maren continued to follow me … but why?

I reached the bottom of the hill and breathed in deeply of the air. The smell of salt water still permeated my nostrils, but the moist earthy scent of the grass did well to drive it away. I enjoyed being out at sea, but it was good to be home. An invisible heaviness overcame me, and I paused to glance around.

“Eldwin.”

My eyes blurred momentarily, and then I saw a cloaked figure standing before me. Instinctively, I put my hand on the hilt of my blade.

“I see you found the Wild Ones.”

It was Tyrval.

I let go of the hilt and nodded, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Yes, we did. It would have been helpful to know your brother was playing god over them.”

“Drakus is still alive? I’m impressed.”

“He was,” I clarified. “The Wild Ones took their wrath out on him.”

Tyrval didn’t seem fazed by the news. She probably hadn’t seen him since he’d left the mainland, which was long enough to lose any familial connection.

“After they’ve rested, we’re flying to the Citadel.”

“Good,” Tyrval replied. “When that is settled, the Assembly could use some help.”

“With what?”

“We still haven’t found Risod. Nemryth suspects the dragon slayers have captured her.”

“My hands are full,” I said. “I don’t know how long it will take to deal with the king, and there’s no guarantee we will be victorious.”

“Dark times indeed, but we must never lose hope, my boy. The night is darkest before the dawn, as the saying goes.”

I had never heard that saying before. If Tyrval thought it would inspire me, she was wrong.

“Send word if you find her,” I said. “Otherwise, I will seek you out later.”

With a blink of my eyes, Tyrval was gone. The heaviness I felt dissipated, and I stared at the spot where she had been. Had the Assembly not asked enough of me? There were many people in this world, and yet they always requested my aid. It was enough to drive me mad.

What’s wrong? Sion’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

What isn’t? I replied. Everyone in this world needs help and there aren’t enough people to stand in the gap.

My words took Sion by surprise. I felt her shock for only a moment before she recovered and withdrew from my mind. I stared off in the Citadel’s direction and wondered what was next. It seemed as though there was always another battle to fight, as if there was never a moment of rest before something bad threatened the world. I heaved a sigh and trudged back up the hill to where Sion waited.

Forgive me, I said as I crouched in front of her. She blinked at me, and I ran my hand along her snout comfortingly. I’m in a bad mood. Maybe with some sleep, I’ll be back to myself again.

There is more to your brooding than lack of rest. Darkness weighs on your heart. I can feel it in our bond.

I wanted to argue with her, but I knew she was right. Ever since T’Mere’s death, the suffocating weight of death and despair had slowly been clawing its way into my mind. I ignored it by focusing on everything else, and perhaps that was the reason I continued to fail. Yet if I faced the darkness, would I defeat it, or be lost to it?

None of us are perfect creations, Sion said.

Not even dragons? I asked, cracking a slight grin.

Not even dragons.

An overwhelming rush of emotions hit me suddenly, and it took every ounce of strength to keep the tears from falling. What kind of leader cried when things got difficult? I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against Sion’s hard scales.

You will survive this, she said.

How do you know?

Because I will flame your soul from the afterlife if you do not.

That made me laugh, and this time, I did not stop the tears from coming. I wrapped my arms around Sion’s massive head and held onto her as tightly as I could, as if she alone could stop my descent into madness.

After a long moment, I released her and wiped the tears from my cheeks. It dawned on me that the world was much like the Path on the Island of Lost Souls. It demanded much and gave little in return, but if I had survived that terrible place, I could certainly survive this ordeal.

Thank you for never giving up on me, I said.

Sion nuzzled me, knocking me over backward. Dragons never give up.

That is a good thing.

Indeed. A war is coming, and dragons will decide the fate of the Order.

And of Osnen, I said solemnly.