“Or,” Ellyesce pressed in a firm voice as he stepped out onto the patio with Jaax and Jahrra, “we could have more supporters than we expect. Do not lose faith now, my friend. There are factions still at work for the good of our world that we have not yet discovered. They have every reason to remain hidden, for now. When we arrive in Dhonoara, we will rally our people together, and you might find we have strength even without the Creecemind dragons.”
Jaax furrowed his brow and then nodded, standing up and shaking himself like a dog. He tilted his head and flicked his eyes toward Jahrra, before acknowledging the elf with a wry grin. “Well said, Ellyesce. I will hold out hope for a while longer yet. But tomorrow, we begin another leg of our journey, with the dream of a bright future to lead our way.”
Ellyesce smiled and turned his gaze onto Jahrra. A little of her unease melted away, and she returned his gesture of friendship.
“I say we return to our rooms and finish packing. It would be best to leave before dawn, and it will take us a while to get the horses loaded up.”
The elf stepped aside to allow Jahrra re-entry into the central hall of Castle Nimbronia, Jaax close behind. As the three dragons, elf and young woman made their way back to the upper floors of the eastern wing, they discussed all the options spread out before them. Sapheramin and Tollorias agreed to stay behind for the time being to gather their scattered Korli and Tanaan brethren.
“We’ll also keep working on Dhuruhn and his family. Perhaps, I can convince the prince or princess to sway their father,” Tollorias growled in that low voice of his.
Dervit, who had not attended the meeting, came out of his own room to hear his friends’ news.
“You’re back!” he exclaimed. “How did it go? Will the Creecemind king come fight with us?”
His excitement soon waned, however, when he saw the looks on everyone’s faces. His ears drooped, and he sank back onto his haunches. “They won’t help us?”
He removed his cap and wrung it with his hands, darting his eyes back and forth between Jaax and Jahrra. “Why?”
“He fears for his people,” Jaax answered simply, his raw disappointment from earlier still lingering in his tone. “Too many Creecemind were lost in the past, and he will not risk it again.”
Dervit looked absolutely crestfallen, so Ellyesce stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. “Do not fret, Dervit. We still have allies who have not yet made themselves known. We’re hoping once word gets out we’re on the move, those who wish to overthrow Cierryon will join us.”
“So, do you want us to reach beyond the borders of Felldreim, then?” Tollorias asked. “Shall we begin a preliminary call to arms?”
Everyone glanced at Jaax, waiting for his answer.
He was quiet for several moments, his eyes cast down and his thoughts directed inward.
“Yes,” he eventually said.
“Just the dragons?” Tollorias added.
“No, not just the dragons. We will take anyone willing to fight for the freedom of Ethoes, no matter how small their part in our world might seem.”
Jaax glanced down at Dervit as he said this, and the limbit straightened a bit, casting aside his despondency.
“Excellent!” Sapheramin beamed. “Although, I cannot say I particularly enjoy war or the pain it causes, it is good to know we are finally ready to do something about that festering pestilence in the East.”
She bore her teeth, and Tollorias gave her a wicked smile.
“So I guess this is farewell for now, then?” the Korli dragon asked, one brow arched over his golden eye.
Jaax nodded. “For now, but not for long. Thank you, both of you, for your help and friendship throughout the years.”
“And thank you for the leadership you have given us, especially after the passing of Hroombra,” Sapheramin replied, her voice catching a little.
She turned to Jahrra, her eyes bright and her smile warm, and lowered her head. “I am especially grateful for getting the chance to meet you, Jahrraneh Drisihn. You are a shining star in the darkness that has left us blind for so many years. I fully believe you will be the one to lead us home.”
Tears prickled at the corner of Jahrra’s eyes, and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Sapheramin’s neck. Well, as far as she could reach them at least.
The Korli dragon made a small sound of surprise, then laughed.
“Thank you, Sapheramin. Your uncle meant a great deal to me, and I see so much of him in you.”
Sapheramin sniffled a little and nodded once, then looked to Tollorias. As they turned and walked back down the corridor, Jahrra felt a slightly uncomfortable tug on her heartstrings. She hated saying goodbye but she held onto the hope that she would see them again soon.
Jahrra, Jaax, Dervit and Ellyesce returned to their own rooms after that, determined to get all their belongings in order before dinner. Since Jahrra had most of her stuff put away already, she spent the early afternoon hours taking another hot bath and just relaxing. Who knows when you’ll be granted such a luxury again after today, she reminded herself, trying not to let that fear well up and wrangle control once again.
After her bath, she changed into a fresh set of clothes. Just as she was contemplating what they would do for supper, Saria knocked on her door.
“Excuse me, Miss, but the dragon Raejaaxorix wanted to know if dinner could be brought to your room this evening?”
Jahrra smiled. “Yes, that would be wonderful.”
The girl grinned, gave another curtsey, then said, “I’ll go see to it, then.”
Jaax, Ellyesce and Dervit arrived a half an hour later, just as their food was being delivered. As they ate, the four of them discussed the journey ahead of them. They would descend the Great Hruhnan Mountains and continue on a northeasterly route, using the wilderness to cloak them from their enemies. At one point, Jaax turned to Dervit and told him that if he wished to stay behind in Nimbronia, he was free to do so.
“I know you wanted to see the world, but we are headed into true danger now, and I cannot guarantee your safety. We will all understand if you choose to stay behind.”
Dervit looked the dragon square in the eye, the dragon he once feared, and said in a stern voice, “I will not be left behind. Like you said earlier, every citizen has the right to defend his or her home and family. You all are my home and family now. There is no other company I wish to keep.”
Jahrra smiled and gave a joyous laugh, despite the serious atmosphere hanging in the cavernous room. She scooped the limbit up into a tight hug. For someone who would be facing down impending death very soon, she couldn’t help but enjoy the little bit of happiness her friend offered her. Both Jaax and Ellyesce nodded their approval of the limbit’s decision. Their small companion had weathered all the hardship he’d faced so far, and they only hoped he’d continue to do so. The four friends toasted to friendship then, both old and new, and to the souls that had passed before them, now keeping watch from the great beyond.
“I’m going to get some air,” Jahrra said when the meal was over.
She stood and stretched before heading out onto her balcony. She needed a few minutes away from everyone, just to think about this new turn her life was taking. She leaned against the half-frozen balustrade, watching the mountains in the east fade from lavender to gold to slate as the sun set somewhere behind her, and thought back to the day she, Jaax and Ellyesce left Lidien behind. It seemed like years ago, but really, it had only been a few months. Suddenly, Jahrra felt much older than her barely eighteen. And now that she had the future ahead of her, one that looked far more daunting than promising, she knew she would have to be stronger than ever before. She had spent the past several years learning, growing, training, becoming who she was, and now, she was finally going to be tested. And, with this test, there would be no second chances.