“So this is it, huh?” Lyndria asked. She stared up at the large broken archway. Even cracked and weather-hewn, the surface still had a polished sheen to it. It stood out even more thanks to the heavy fog that rolled just beyond the entrance, leaving it one of the few things still visible. Jagged rocks were just noticeable in the mist, jutting upward like crooked teeth.

She would never admit it, but the place gave her chills. The area felt even more dead than the rest of the world.

“Ruins?” Sareen asked as she joined Lyndria’s side. She turned angrily to Gennoni and added, “Didn’t you inform us this place was uninhabited?”

“I never said that,” Gennoni replied calmly. “If you want a history lesson, here’s the short version: I don’t know. The place was already a ruin when I got here.”

Garreth approached the archway and inspected the broken stones. “This used to be part of something larger. Maybe a defensive wall. But why was it abandoned?”

“Who fucking cares?” Cutter asked. “Now let’s go. My paws hurt, I have to take a piss, and I’m hungry.”

Gennoni rolled her eyes. Lyndria noticed Silias and Darien were quiet.

“Something on your mind?” Lyndria asked.

Silias responded first, “It’s nothing. Let us go.”

“What he said.”

“How are we supposed to navigate this mist?” Garreth asked. “I’m a good tracker, but I’m not finding anything in this.”

“The legends say that only those who have awakened their second sight can find the place,” Gennoni said.

“What legends?” Sareen asked. “And what is this ‘second sight’ you speak of?”

“If you stop cutting me off, I can tell you. The second sight is just our sense of smell. It turns out if you focus hard enough, you can sense the world around you.”

“Ah, yes, another one of the dragon’s many traits,” Darien said. “As if their other natural gifts weren’t enough for them.”

“It’s the benefit of being an apex predator,” Garreth replied casually. “They’re walking killing machines and they’re damn good at it.”

“Yeah, yeah, you can stroke me off later,” Cutter said. “Now stay close. If you fall behind, `it’s your ass.”

“Does something dwell here that we should be aware of?” Sareen asked.

“Just freezing to death or starvation. Unless you like eating rocks.”

There was likely more banter but Lyndria had stopped listening. She was deep in thought wondering if the old Matriarchs knew about this ability and what happened that dragons stopped using it.

She absent-mindedly flicked her tongue.

The scent of earth and her companions, but nothing else.

Cutter led the way with Gennoni bringing up the rear. Lyndria continued to practice trying to sense her surroundings with scent alone. Her mouth became dry from flicking her tongue so much, but she kept trying anyway. There wasn’t anything else to focus on. The others were silent, only their footsteps crunching on the ground breaking the silence.

Not that it seemed to make much difference. There were no sounds of life around them. Not a single cry of a bird or scurrying of a smaller creature. Even the sky was hidden from them. But unlike the rest of the world, the thick fog enveloping them made everything feel much more claustrophobic. Even in the dead silence, the fear that something lingered beyond the edges of her vision remained.

No, I can’t afford weakness, she thought. Not if I plan to beat Tanor. She is what even fear dreads.

She flicked her tongue, more out of frustration than anything, and realized the path branched up ahead. She flicked her tongue again and this time a clearer picture of their surroundings entered her mind. She could tell that the path to the left was impassable. She could count exactly how many rocks surrounded them. She knew that among the fog-hidden rocks were more pieces of rubble. If she truly focused, she could guess the age. It was old; at least several centuries.

She wondered what caused them to be abandoned and why no one remembered. She wondered how Cutter and Genonni knew about this place and how they managed to find it.

There were secrets on top of secrets and she didn’t like it. The further they dove, the more she felt like she and the others were just pawns in a bigger game. The whole story hadn’t been shared yet.

“How far must we go?” Sareen asked.

“Just a bit further,” Genonni replied.

“Remind me again why we can’t just fly there?” Lyndria asked.

The answer came immediately. She sensed it before it came into view. A massive cave opening that led underground.

“That explains a lot,” Garreth said. “It’s a damn good hiding spot, too. Lemme guess, it’s a maze in there as well?”

“Look at that, the human figured it out first,” Cutter said. “Now you know why no one can find the place.”

Nothing more was said. They continued on in the usual formation. Lyndria went back to practicing. She sensed they were alone in the tunnels, that it was too narrow to spread her wings, and many stalactites and stalagmites jutted from the floor and ceiling as if to bar their progress. It brought a smile to her face every time she heard a grunt or cry of pain because someone stubbed a toe or hit their head in the dark. Meanwhile, she weaved between the rocky formations with ease.

Eventually, she sensed a wider opening nearby. Soon after, she saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Her jaw dropped in amazement at the sight. The cave opened up into a massive chamber. Sunlight poured through holes in the cavern ceiling. The rays shone on a stone city ahead of them. It reminded Lyndria of the human towns on the surface except much more impressive. The buildings were not only intact but stood taller than anything she had ever seen.

“This is Opalana,” Gennoni said.

Garreth whistled. “Now we know why flying into the city is out of the question. I can’t believe something like this exists here.”

“Yeah, it’s something,” Cutter said hurriedly as if bored with the subject already. Look, we don’t have time to stand here and stare. Darren, take the stuff and the other human to the usual spot. You three, come with me.”

“And where are we going?” Sareen asked, nettled.

“You need to meet our father so we can figure out our next move,” Gennoni said.

“Very well. Silias, accompany Garreth.” She added under her breath as the drake passed. “And keep an eye on that other one.”

Lyndria wondered what that was about but chose to keep it to herself for now. It would likely be answered in time anyway. Instead, she focused on taking in as much of the sights as possible while they headed for the large building at the top of the hill on the far end of the city. Gennoni told them it was a law that no one would fly in the city so they had to walk. It quickly became evident why. Most of the streets were too narrow to properly spread their wings. Unless they wanted to land on the roof, flying was out of the question.

She preferred walking anyway. It was her first time in a true city. It fascinated her to see the various humans and dragons walking around, and hearing the different sounds. She flicked her tongue rapidly, capturing all of the various scents and sights until she felt lightheaded.

Suddenly, Cutter whirled on Lyndria. “Okay, can you cut that shit out? You keep flicking your tongue like that and everyone’s gonna think something’s wrong with you.” 

Lyndria shrugged and stuck her tongue out again. Cutter rolled her eyes but the faint hints of a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“I’m guessing you never spent a lot of time in human towns,” Cutter said.

“Not before the fighting started.”

“Ah. Look, I can show you around later. Can you just focus for now?”

“Leave her alone,” Gennoni said. “We have bigger things to worry about.”

“Yes, like why your father is leading his daughters against his chosen,” Sareen said.

“You can ask him yourself,” Gennoni replied.

There was no more discussion. Lyndria stopped trying to sense her surroundings mostly because her mouth was dry and she felt dizzy.

They eventually reached the large building in the distance. Two large Ramscales stood guard over the entrance. Lyndria half expected them to bar the way, but they parted the instant  Gennoni approached and let everyone enter unopposed.

The inside was far more impressive than the outside. Massive columns carved in the shape of dragons dotted the spacious chamber. The walls were covered in carvings depicting what Lyndria could only guess were important historical events The shadows shifting in the light of large braziers seemed to bring the carvings to life.

“Now this is impressive,” Sareen said.

“What is with you two?” Cutter asked. “Just keep up and don’t fall behind.”

As they crossed the room, Lyndria noticed the humans in long clothes milling about. They bowed and looked down as they passed, their hoods covering their faces.

Lyndria rolled her eyes and focused on the door they approached.

After a brief walk through an impressively decorated hall, they found themselves in another large room. A large blue-scaled dragon sat on the far side of the room. The wall in front of him depicted what looked like an unfinished painting of a single tree in the middle of a bog. He dipped his tail in one of the large bowls surrounding him then rubbed the appendage on the wall, leaving behind a long green trail.

“Hey, we’re back,” Cutter said as she flopped against one of the large cushions leaning against the wall.

The drake continued to stare at the painting. “Yes, I’m aware.”

Lyndria leaned over to Sareen and whispered, “Why do I feel like we’ve been lied to again?”

“You could at least acknowledge your damn daughters!” Cutter cried.

The drake dipped his paint-covered tail into another bowl. When he pulled it free again, most of the paint had been removed. He flung off the excess water and dipped the appendage into a different bowl.

“And why should I acknowledge you when you refuse to acknowledge me?”

“Because we’re not a bunch of—”

“Enough!” Gennoni cried. She crossed the room and planted herself between their father and the wall. “We found Matriarchs willing to stand against mother. One of them even killed a vessel.”

The drake looked over his shoulder. Lyndria’s first impression was he’s seen things. It was in his eyes. They carried a calculating gaze that only came with years of experience.

“Have you achieved your awakening?” he asked.

“Have you?” Lyndria shot back.

Without a word, he raised his tail. The once glistening paint on its tip lost its sheen. He struck the floor with his tail and the hardened pain shattered.

“Does that answer your question?”

“You dare question a Matriarch?” Sareen asked.

The drake chuckled. “I see two power-hungry whelps who think they’re Matriarchs because they make ants scurry.”

Sareen growled and started forward but Cutter spoke up.

“I wouldn’t try that if I were you. Tanor didn’t take just any random dick. Anyone who can handle her is not someone you can push around.”

“Can you not refer to your mother in such vulgar terms?” the drake asked.

“I can. I won’t, but I can.”

The drake sighed heavily. “If we’ve had enough throwing our weight around, my name is Eber. Clearly you know Cutter and Gennoni.”

“We do. I am Sareen and this is my companion, Lyndria.”

“It is an honor to meet you. Now I’m sure you have questions but you’ve likely traveled a long way and you must be tired. Take the night to rest and we can talk in the morning.”

“I don’t think we should wait,” Gennoni said. “Once Tanor finds out that Lisma is dead—”

“She will simply move on to the next promising vessel,” Eber finished in a bored tone. “Your mother cares little for vessels weaker than she. If she was killed by one of them, she was either weak or a fool.”

“I will not be spoken down to that way,” Sareen said with a growl.

Eber dipped his tail in brown paint and added more to the tree’s trunk. “If you were strong enough to challenge Tanor, we wouldn’t be talking.”

“And if you want us to consider allying with you, I suggest watching your tone.”

He looked back again, a frown adorning his face. “I never said I was seeking an alliance.”

“Then why did your daughters bring us here?” Lyndria cried.

“Because they believe Tanor must be stopped before it’s too late. I, however, have no intention of replacing her with someone who thinks just like her.” He turned back the painting. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m busy.”

A soft crackling filled the air as Sareen growled. The sound quickly dissipated and she stormed out of the room in a huff. Lyndria quickly followed.

“The nerve of that drake!” Sareen cried. Her enraged voice reverberated off the walls. “I can see why Tanor likes him. I’ve never seen a more optimal union!”

“I’m surprised you didn’t try to take his head off.”

“We are guests in his home and I know better unlike a certain someone”—she glared at the door—“who lacks adequate training in etiquette!”

“We don’t need him. We’ll figure out a way to stop Tanor on our own.”

Sareen wasn’t fully convinced or she wasn’t listening. Either way, she continued cursing Eber and his manners until they were outside again. It was then they both realized that they had no clue where to go from there.

They didn’t wait long before Gennoni emerged from the building. “My father wants you back inside.”

“Unless an apology is on the agenda, I will not acquiesce,” Sareen said.

“And they call me stubborn, “ Lyndria said under her breath.

“Fine. You can go see him,” Gennoni said to Lyndria. To Sareen she added. “I’ll show you where the others are staying.”

Lyndria headed back in alone. As much as she wanted to admire the décor, it would have to wait. Thankfully the path back to Eber was straightforward. Cutter wasn’t there. Lyndria didn’t know how to feel about that.

“Only one of you?” he asked.

“Sareen doesn’t even want to look at you unless you apologize.”

A smile crossed his face. “She reminds me a lot of Tanor. Shame because I did plan to apologize. As my daughters pointed out, I should be more careful with my words and not be so quick to chase away the few dragons who don’t fear my chosen. Even if they are…lacking.”

Lyndria rolled her eyes. Maybe it was due to spending so much time with Sareen but she knew that was the closest to a genuine apology they would get.

“I’m surprised you changed your mind so fast,” she said.

“I haven’t changed my mind. You are not the first to arrive here with the mind to fight my chosen. The repeated failures have made me bitter. But my daughters did go through the trouble of bringing you here. The least I could have done was heard what you had to say.”

“Even if you don’t believe us?”

“It does not matter what I believe. In time your actions will prove one of us right.”

“Wow, I’m starting to see where your daughters get their bluntness from. All right, fine. I accept your proposal, apology—whatever you think that was. But before we go any further, I need to know what happened between you.”

“Between Tanor and I? Well, it isn’t a secret. Tanor was once my chosen. I knew I wasn’t the first or even the only male in her life but that mattered little to me.” A shadow passed over his face. “But she has a sickness. My love is obsessed with power. She craves it, thrives on it. It has become her only reason for living. I should have seen the signs but I had the same sickness. I was attracted to her and her power.”

“But something changed,” Lyndria said.

Eber nodded. “When she gave birth to our daughters I finally saw the illness that had claimed my love. Where I saw the brightest stars in my life, all she saw were more tools to feed her addiction. I knew then she was too far gone. I’ve tried pleading with her but not even my words could reach her.”

“So you want us to stop her.”

“Yes and no. I understand the threat she poses, but I hope to find a diplomatic solution.”

“You still love her,” she stated with a small note of disgust.

“If you’ve ever been in love, you’d understand. Even seeing what she has become, my feelings for her are not so easily discarded. Besides, what father would send his daughters to kill their mother?”

Lyndria knew he had a point but she didn’t quite like that he wasn’t fully committed to ending Tanor if it came to it. What if he loved her enough to turn on them to keep her alive?

They didn’t have a long list of allies to call on so she figured she could cross that bridge if it came to it.

Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to it.

****

“Has he lost his mind?!” Sareen cried. “Any form of diplomatic solution with Tanor will include our heads lined before her!”

Lyndria shrugged. She had expected this response once she had relayed Eber’s intentions to Sareen. She didn’t like it much herself.

“Poor bastard’s still in love with the mother of his children,” Garreth said. He raised the rifle barrel he had been cleaning and examined it in the light of the lantern. “Can you really blame the guy?”

“Yes,” Lyndria and Sareen said.

“Having a clutch does not mean love,” Silias said. “It is a sad truth but it happens.”

“What? That dragons get horny and make bad decisions like everyone else?”

“No, accepting these dragons as our allies,” Sareen spat. “I should have known better than to believe this fool of a plan!”

Lyndria rolled her eyes and went outside, knowing a rant was to begin soon. Sareen’s rage-fueled voice following her out the door confirmed the theory. It surprised her to see Cutter standing outside.

The dragoness motioned for Lyndria to follow. “Walk with me,” she said.

Lyndria shrugged. Anything to get away from the storm brewing inside. The streets barely allowed for two dragons side-by-side so Lyndria followed behind. She still hadn’t grown accustomed to the city streets, the narrowness, the smells, the noise. But it still fascinated her, seeing the various sights.

Cutter didn’t say anything. While Lyndria liked the silence, it worried her. The only time Cutter kept silent was when something serious was going on.

Eventually, they reached a street large enough for Lyndria to walk alongside her companion. It was then the Celestial broke the silence, “So you heard his plan.”

Lyndria nodded, knowing it wasn’t a question.

“So what do you think?”

“I think if that was an option, he’d’ve done it by now. Why wait?”

“Because my mother isn’t a dumbass. We can’t reason with her without something to bargain with. The problem is we have nothing she wants. We won’t make good vessels and I doubt she’s gonna lift anything for him again. Why should she give a damn what we want?”

Because that’s what a mother does. She gives a damn.

“What do you think?” Lyndria asked.

Cutter snorted and became fascinated with a cart they passed. The surface was covered with thin colored ropes. Some carried gems, others held seemingly random baubles. The man standing behind the cart was too busy talking to a pair of human women, neither of which seemed very interested in his words.

“I think it’s worth a shot anyway,” Cutter said once the cart was out of view. “We can’t afford a war. Even if we do win, there won’t be enough to live off of.”

“I’m surprised to hear that. You weren’t saying that when we met. Didn’t you come to us to help fight her?”

“I came to you to help stop her. I don’t care how. Besides, I’m my mother’s crotch spawn, and I ain’t a dumbass, either. I wanted insurance in case the worst happened.”

“Speaking of, how do you know she won’t come here again?”

Cutter fell silent. Whether it was to gather her thoughts or not, a couple arguing nearby made it impossible to respond. Between the curses and threats of dismemberment, Lyndria discovered the man had been seeing someone behind the woman’s back. A large crowd had formed near the site of the argument, blocking any passage through the street. Cutter started down a side alley instead.

“Tanor doesn’t think this place is real,” Cutter replied. “For now, it’s the perfect hideout.”

“So just stay here then.”

Cutter looked up at the rocky ceiling. “I like to feel the sun on my scales. Besides, we can’t stay bunched up ass to face like this. There’s no meat down here and the soil is hard to work. We only have enough for another winter before our food runs low.”

“You still haven’t explained why you think I’m a good fit for this. She promised to kill me when we meet again, plus I killed one of her daughters and her followers. That’s three times I’ve gotten in her way.”

Cutter laughed and sidestepped a drunken man who staggered out of the nearby building. “That’s what makes you a good fit, Lyn. You pissed in her path more than once and you’re still standing. You got balls as the humans say. She respects that kind of thing.”

“Lyn?”

“Is that all you heard? Whatever. I can think of worse things to call you if you want, but I save those for the one who has my tail around their neck.”

It took her a moment to understand what Cutter meant by that. She frowned when she figured it out.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that. You haven’t met me yesterday.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Lyndria mumbled, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, I still think it’s a mistake.”

“Mistake or not, it’s all we got. It’s either this or we go for blood. I say what’s it hurt? Worst case, we go for blood anyway.”

Lyndria nodded but she wasn’t sure. She wanted her chance at revenge. Tanor was the reason her life had taken this turn, but she also she hadn’t forgotten their crushing defeat. Did they even stand a chance? She fought back a growl at the thought. She neve once bowed and ran from a fight even knowing she was outmatched. Not with Delour and certainly not now.

Her clan was gone. Nothing remained. Her mother and Naomi were gone, Madrin was missing, and all she had was a pile of bodies and an empty home. All because of Tanor. Now she was supposed to simply all of that and make nice?

Before she could tell Cutter that she refused, she heard a familiar voice behind them.

“Lyndria?”

She stopped, struck stiff by the sound of her name. The voice sounded like Madrin, but that couldn’t be right. How would her sister have even found this place?

Still, she looked over her shoulder, clinging to the hope, to the possibility her sister wasn’t forever lost to her. That they had a chance to see each other again.

Sure enough, Madrin stood in the middle of the street, her face veiled with excitement.