Dana woke the next morning in her hotel room, feeling like a dragon had sat on her. Last night’s battle had been followed by standing guard until massive reinforcements arrived, tending the wounded, comforting crying people and a spot of cleaning. She and Jayden hadn’t returned to their room until some ridiculously late hour, where both of them fell asleep still wearing their clothes for the ball. Daybreak woke them after only a few hours of sleep.

“Morning,” Jayden said from the floor. He’d gotten that far before falling asleep last night. “I’d be lying if I called it a good morning.”

Dana lifted her head off her pillow and saw dust swirling above her. “Tell Stanley thank you for keeping guard. Let him get some sleep.”

Stanley hummed a cheerful tune, flew to the window and disappeared. Jayden sat up and said, “He shouldn’t be taking orders from both of us. Good to know he listens to you, though.”

“I had this incredible nightmare,” Dana said as she dropped her head back to her pillow. “We were at a party and everyone acted like jerks. There was this cute guy I’ll probably never see again. Then we got attacked.”

“That’s a sadly accurate summary of the evening.” Jayden got up and stretched.

“It’s the third time in a week someone tried to kill us. That’s a new record.”

“Given our involvement in a war it’s likely to continue at this pace.” He opened the door and sniffed. “I believe the hotel kitchen is preparing chicken for breakfast. How would you like yours?”

“Dead.”

“I think they can manage that. How do you feel?”

Dana propped up her head on her hands. “Tired, sore, angry that the bad guys got away. I’m not used to that happening. Most of your enemies are kind of dead when you finish with them.”

“The dwarf Dunrhill Stronglock survived, wounded last we saw him, but not deceased. Take comfort that yesterday’s attack failed. Last night was either a kidnapping attempt on Princess Estell or a mass assassination attempt of Bascal’s leadership. Had it succeeded, Bascal would have been thrown into chaos that would have severely weakened its ability to wage war, or even forced its surrender.”

“Why did the third wizard stay back?” Dana sat up in bed and smoothed her dress. “They might have won if he’d helped.”

“He was insurance. The first two with their gladiators, gargoyles and undead could have massacred unarmed civilians and the princess’ guards, while the third was far enough away to evacuate them if they failed, which they did.” Jayden frowned. “He was taking notes during the battle, studying my magic. That worries me. An intelligent foe who learns and plans is far more dangerous than one who relies solely on overwhelming power.”

Jayden went through his baggage until he found his black and silver clothes. “I also feel you overestimate his power. The two wizards we defeated were using weak spells, beginner magic at best. Their third member was likely not that much more powerful than they were. Had they been stronger, they would have overwhelmed us both, or at least held us in check while their followers completed their gruesome task.”

“Dissolving a brick wall wasn’t weak magic,” Dana told him. She snapped her fingers and asked, “Could they have used a binding spell to make themselves strong enough to do that?”

“I believe they used a binding spell to enhance specific spells then ended it, not like the way the Zentrix court wizard tried to keep the binding spell continuously running. This may allow them to avoid the spell getting out of control and killing them all. Still, it’s a risk most wizards would never take.”

Dana asked, “Risky like getting burned, or risky like dying?

“If the binding spell had failed, the Inspired wizards would have had seconds to regain control. Failure would mean all the magic they had being released instantly. Their remains would have been unrecognizable or totally vaporized.”

Worried what the answer would be, she asked, “Could a wizard do that deliberately?”

“Normally a dying wizard’s power is simply lost, harming no one, making such a terrible end impossible. Binding spells work by pooling their power so it can all be drawn upon immediately. That pooled energy is what causes the catastrophic failures the spell is known for. You needn’t fear me making the ultimate sacrifice.”

“That’s good to hear, but not what I was worried about. If we fight Inspired wizards again and they think they’re not going to get away, could they use a binding spell and lose control on purpose, killing themselves and us?”

Jayden’s eyes snapped wide open. “That terrifying idea hadn’t occurred to me. Let’s hope it hasn’t occurred to them, either.”

Dana checked to make sure her dress was undamaged. “The gladiators didn’t go berserk around the skeletons and barrow wight.”

“There are spells to protect the living from the enraging effect of the undead. Their necromancer must have shielded them prior to the attack.”

There was a knock at their door, and they heard the hotel manager say from the other side, “Sir, madam, a knight has arrived asking to speak with you.”

“Tell him we’ll meet him at the common room,” Jayden said.

Dana and Jayden went to the hotel’s common room to find Stillman in full armor. He’d taken a table in the back of the room and gestured for them to join him. Other guests stayed at least twenty feet away. He waited until they’d taken their seats before talking.

“You have my gratitude, and that of the king. Knights on duty during the ball told me the danger you placed yourselves in on behalf of the crown princess. For security reasons the king told his people there was an attack last night without detailing how dangerous it was, or how close it came to costing us everything.”

“Does this sanitized version of reality leave out our participation?” Jayden asked.

“It does, and I apologize for that. Public morale has already taken a heavy blow from an attack on the capital. Should it become common knowledge we were dependent on foreigners to contain the threat, it would cause a panic. King Rascan and many high ranking noblemen are aware of your bravery and will reward it. His majesty said your actions made a favorable impression on those who doubted hiring you.”

They fell silent when a waitress brought a hearty breakfast rich in meats and gravy. Dana dug into the food while Stillman and Jayden spoke.

“Security across the kingdom is going to be tightened,” Stillman told them. “We never imagined Meadowland would make such a bold attack, nor that they had so many wizards. That’s going to make your services especially valuable.”

“King Rascan gave us a mission prior to the attack,” Jayden said.

Stillman handed Jayden a scroll tube. “This contains a map of the enemy fort and surrounding area. There are no enemy troops nearby, which should prevent them from calling up reinforcements. The biggest issue is the wyvern and rider may flee from you rather than do battle.”

“Meadowland forces are going to be on high alert after we fought our way into Bascal,” Jayden said. “How are we going to get back in?”

“Scald can carry you over the border and drop you off far from prying eyes. There is enough tree cover for you to approach the fort without being spied upon from above if the wyvern flies overhead. From there you can approach the camp and either kill the beast if it’s present or ambush it upon its return. Scald will cross the border every morning to check for you. King Rascan was very specific that he wants the monster’s head to mount on a pike for Bascal’s citizens to see.”

“Kind of gruesome,” Dana said.

“They need proof of victory after suffering last night’s attack,” Stillman told her. “The wyvern’s head provides it.”

“How soon do we leave?” Jayden asked Stillman.

“Scald will arrive at noon. You’ll be across the border one hour after that. We won’t be able to offer assistance once you’re on the ground.”

Jayden took a chicken leg off the plate of food and ate. “We’ll be ready. Give us until then to prepare.”

Stillman saluted and left the hotel. Jayden wolfed down his food and said, “We’ll need to change into more appropriate clothing and purchase food and drink for our task. I’ll see about our supplies. Keep an eye on our belongings until I return.”

“You’re really that concerned about us being robbed?”

Jayden finished his meal and stood up. “Dana, how did the Inspired wizards know about the ball? I can come up with only a few possibilities, including using a crystal ball, blind luck and having spies inside the city that informed them. Any king worth his crown will have potent magic on his castle to prevent scrying, and blind luck is too much to expect for an attack of that size. That leaves men or women inside Dragon Roost in the pay of King Tyros passing information to the enemy.”

“Prince Onus said goblins in Kaleoth caught Meadowland spies,” Dana said.

“If Tyros and Amvicta used spies there, they certainly did so here. So be paranoid, because enemies are out to get us. I’ll be back shortly.”

Dana finished eating and went back to their room. She changed into her regular clothes and packed away her fancy dress. It would be a long time before she got to wear it again, but there was no way she’d part with it. After that there was nothing to do besides wait.

After an hour she heard a knock at the door and heard the hotel manager say, “A visitor wishes to see you in the common room.”

“I’m coming.” Dana didn’t think this was an ambush if they wanted to see her around witnesses, but Jayden’s warning worried her. This could be a distraction to get them away from his spell tablets. Now that she thought about it, the tablets would be a prize for ordinary thieves as much as for spies. She grabbed her bags and his before leaving.

She went to the common room, where the hotel manager pointed at a fashionably dressed man seated at a corner table. His clothes looked like they were Cassandra’s work, but the colors were wrong. People in Bascal favored red and yellow, while he wore dark blue. The man was in his forties and had jet black hair. Dana couldn’t help but stare. There was something familiar about him.

Dana hesitated before saying, “Have we met?”

“I don’t believe so.” The man offered her his hand. “Malcolm Redoubt.”

“Uh, hi.” Dana shook his hand and tried to place his face. “I mean, I know this sounds weird, but I feel I should know you.”

“I can’t see how. I understand you’re from Meadowland, as I was, but I haven’t lived there since before you were born.”

Curious she asked, “If you’re from Meadowland, why are you here? And shouldn’t people be worried you’ll side with King Tyros?”

Malcolm gave her a pained smile. “My family left Meadowland under a cloud of disgrace. Many families did. We’ve managed to make a home for ourselves here and contribute to our new homeland. Decades of work has earned us some shreds of respect, and they know we’ll never embrace those who spurned us.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m having a rough year.”

“I know the feeling. Forgive me approaching you unannounced, but I need to ask a favor. A friend of mine attended last night’s ball, and spoke glowingly of you and the Sorcerer Lord.” Malcolm paused and said, “When he saw the Sorcerer Lord, he had the same reaction you did just now, as if he knew him rather than was meeting him for the first time.”

This was getting suspicious. “That’s strange.”

Malcolm looked nervous, almost timid. “It’s probably nothing, but I would like very much to speak to the Sorcerer Lord. To see him, even for a minute. Could you arrange it?”

“We’re going to be busy for the next week, but I’ll see what I can do afterwards.”

Malcolm bowed. “My gratitude.”

Puzzled, Dana went back to her room. Maybe the guy wanted to hire Jayden, but why be so weird about it? Could he be one of the spies Jayden worried about? She doubted it. He’d have no reason to ask to see Jayden. It was a mystery that had to wait.
Jayden soon returned carrying a bag of food and full waterskins. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d appreciate privacy while changing.”

Dana left the room and waited by the door. “A weird guy showed up while you were gone and said he’d like to meet you.”

“Don’t care.” Jayden’s voice was muffled by the door. “Not even slightly.”

“He seemed familiar. I can’t put my finger on why.”

“In a few days it won’t matter. The wyvern will be dead, we’ll collect our pay and leave Bascal. From there we hunt down the Inspired and put an end to them before they destroy Meadowland.” The door opened and Jayden came out in his black and silver clothes. “Much better.”

“The wyvern sounds dangerous. Do you know anyone here we can ask for help, or someone we could hire?”

“Your suggestion is valid, but I haven’t spent enough time in Bascal to cultivate allies I could call upon for battle. In regards to hiring help, anyone who would be of assistance must have been hired by King Rascan long ago. Bascal’s smaller population means they need every man defending the kingdom, especially after last night’s attack. There will be no one to spare to help us.”

They didn’t have to wait long before Stillman returned. The knight gave them an approving look when he met them in the common room. “Good, you’re ready. The girl is coming with you?”

“I value her abilities,” Jayden replied.

“From what I heard of the ball she acquits herself well in battle.” Stillman gestured for them to follow him. “Scald will pick you up at the city’s main courtyard.”

Jayden frowned. “That’s a very public place to begin a mission. I would prefer leaving the city and meeting the dragon elsewhere.”

“In this case security and publicity are in conflict,” Stillman told him. “The king has taken a very big and public blow. People need to see him taking action, and Scald carrying you to battle does that.”

“What if enemies see us leave and attack you again?” Dana asked. She worried she would offend Stillman, but concern made her speak out. “If you’re pulling men back to defend the capital, it weakens your armies. Last night’s attack may have worked for King Tyros after all.”

Stillman was silent for a moment, and Dana feared she had crossed a line with him. When he finally spoke it was a relief. “The wizards’ attack means every part of Bascal is in danger. They could strike across the kingdom, destroying granaries, bridges, isolated garrisons and more. That won’t be a threat once Scald is in the air again, but for that to happen the wyvern must die.”

Once they left the hotel, Dana glanced at the castle. The hole in the side was huge, and it looked like the roof over it was sagging. To her amazement the hole began to seal closed as bricks floated into place. “What’s happening?”

“King Rascan has an earth wizard on staff,” Stillman explained. “He sent for him late last night, and he arrived an hour ago. He’ll have the castle repaired in a week.”

Dana figured fixing the castle was another way to convince people to keep backing their king. Rascan sure put a lot of time and effort into reassuring them. Was that normal for kings? She’d always assumed their subjects always obeyed them. Then again, Meadowland’s civil war was proof nobles could turn against their king. That would do lots of damage if it happened during a war.

“I wish to make it clear my services are for this task only,” Jayden told Stillman. “I haven’t signed an oath of loyalty to King Rascan, nor am I willing to be conscripted into his army. I can…oh come now, he can’t be serious.”

The sudden change in Jayden’s tone and topic made Dana study the streets for threats. People were hurrying out of the way, but they didn’t look scared. Then she saw who they were moving for, the young man Jayden had humiliated at the ball.

“Announcing Baronet Skythex Brass,” a man called out. Pedestrians gathered to watch the young man step in front of Jayden followed by five more men. Two looked like servants, including the one who’d made the announcement, but three men only a little older than Dana were dressed in the rich clothes of nobles.

“Sir,” Skythex said, his tone making it clear Jayden didn’t deserve the word, “last night you gave offense to myself and the woman I love. I have come for satisfaction.”

Stillman stepped in front of Dana and Jayden. “Baronet, redress for your grievances must wait. This man is in the service of the king.”

Dana expected that to carry more weight, especially among such class conscious people, but Skythex was unmoved. He not only stood his ground but pushed his cape back to reveal a sheathed sword hanging from his belt. “Under the law I may seek redress when wronged. I am owed an apology and reparations for the offense.”

“In times of war military matters must come first,” Stillman said. “This issue can be negotiated at a later time with royal support.”

“Mind your place, knight,” Skythex said scornfully, and to Dana’s surprise Stillman backed down. The baronet turned his fury on Jayden. “I will not let a foreigner treat a noblewoman of Bascal like a tavern wench to be taken advantage of.”

Jayden waved his hand at the men behind Skythex. “Do these fine young men come to help you get your pound of flesh?”

“These are my witnesses, men of respected families who will report what occurs today across Bascal.” Skythex placed a hand on his sword hilt. “You have wronged me by laying your hands on my beloved in front of countless people. I will not tolerate such barbaric behavior, and I will have satisfaction, in gold or in blood.”

Dana stared hard at Skythex, her heart beating like a drum. This clod was trying to pick a fight! Dana, Jayden and Prince Onus had all been passed those ridiculous notes, treating them like, like, well, Dana wasn’t even going to think the word! They’d come to help, they had helped, saving lives, and this idiot was threatening them, or maybe trying to rob them if he wanted reparations.

Dana marched up to Skythex. “No! You don’t get to act like you’re hurt because your girlfriend, who you left waiting, danced with someone else. You don’t get to act like we’re bad people when Jayden saved your princess’ life.”

She heard Stillman say to Jayden, “Get her back here.”

Skythex stared at her, his expression changing from anger to confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“You were in the room when it happened!”

Jayden called out, “I might be mistaken, but I don’t think he was. Quite a few guests defended Princess Estell during the attack. I don’t recall seeing him help.”

“You ran off?” Dana poked Skythex in the chest. “You ran away when your princess was in danger! You think we wronged you, when we fought to save your princess and you didn’t?”

“Do something,” Stillman told Jayden.

Jayden chuckled. “I could point at Skythex and laugh.”

“I escorted my beloved from danger!” Skythex shouted at Dana. “Some of us don’t have magic swords or spells.”

Dana didn’t budge. “The guests who fought back didn’t have those, either!”

The men Skythex had brought as witnesses were suddenly looking very nervous. Dana hadn’t been in Bascal long enough to see nobles demand apologies. There must be a proper way to deal with this, to defend yourself or back down, but she didn’t know their rules. These men might be upset their friend was publicly being called a coward, an accusation Skythex wasn’t offering a good defense to.

“That woman is not your property and can dance with whoever she pleases,” Dana told Skythex. “As for you not having a magic sword, I didn’t used to own one, so I know how hard it is to stand against threats when you’ve got nothing. I fought for months without one and did what I could to help, and so can you. If you want an apology, that’s not happening. If you want money, that is really not happening. If you want to use that sword you’re wearing—”

Dana drew Chain Cutter to the gasps of onlookers. She kept her sword pointed at the ground. “If you want a fight, here I am. You’re going to have to go through me to get to Jayden. Take your best shot.”

Skythex stared at her in horror. “You’re insane.”

When Skythex didn’t draw his sword, Dana sheathed Chain Cutter. “You know what? When I saw you last night asking Princess Estell for a favor or a job, I felt sorry for you when she turned you down. Now that I’ve met you, I have a lot more respect for her, because she could tell you’re not ready for it.”

Dana marched back to Jayden and Stillman. The knight stepped forward and said, “The lady wishes to contest your accusation, and has offered trial by combat. Baronet Skythex, do you accept?”

Skythex said nothing, his face pale and slick with sweat. Stillman asked, “Baronet, the offer was not formally issued according to the rules of etiquette. If you wish to refuse until it is correctly issued you may do so, or you may accept. No dishonor will be associated with fighting a woman when she has proven herself in battle against an iron golem.”

“I…will not accept the offer,” Skythex replied.

“Very well, sir. As witnesses are present to your response the matter is officially closed at this time. You may renew your claim at a later date if you so choose.” Stillman saluted Skythex. “If you will excuse us, sir, military matters require our presence elsewhere. Sorcerer Lord, madam, if you will come with me?”

“Delighted to do so,” Jayden replied, and left with Dana and the knight. Skythex and his friends watched them go.

“You have made an enemy for life,” Stillman told them.

“I wouldn’t want him as a friend,” Jayden replied. “He may count himself lucky Dana acted before I did. She let him walk away unharmed.”

“The matter could have been settled peacefully,” Stillman protested. “Most challenges are settled with a formal apology and a token sum. You didn’t have to threaten him.”

“I’m sorry,” Dana told him. “It’s just, we’ve been through a lot, and him acting like we hurt him when we fought for your people was going too far.”

“Don’t be upset at standing up for yourself,” Jayden told her. “He should have handled the matter privately or hired a lawyer. Instead he acted rashly in front of dozens of witnesses.”

Dana froze. “Dozens? He brought five people with him.”
Jayden chuckled. “You and Skythex both did quite a bit of shouting, enough to draw the attention of the curious. You may not have noticed bystanders on the street watching, or men and women in nearby buildings. They’ll spread the word how the baronet acted like a preening peacock and backed down from an angry girl. He’s done lasting damage to his reputation.”

They reached Dragon Roost’s central courtyard, a brick plaza two hundred feet across surrounded by businesses and homes. Residents gathered in large numbers to shop and gossip, but they parted when they saw Dana and Jayden approach. Dana heard a woman say to another, “My cousin saw her kill abominations at the ball like they were rats.”

Stillman heard it, too, and his jaw dropped. Jayden smirked and said, “Many servants witnessed the battle. Order them to silence if you wish, but they’ll speak when they’re away from you. By tomorrow every soul in Dragon’s Roost will know the details of the attack.”

“Then we need this victory more than ever,” Stillman told him. He gazed into the sky and announced, “Not a moment too soon.”

People across the courtyard scattered, some crying out in joy. Dana saw why when a dragon swooped down from the sky and landed in the courtyard. She’d never seen one before, and it was awe inspiring. The dragon was thirty feet long with a wingspan twice that, and had four powerful legs. The scales were red with gold at the tips, there were two horns on its head, and teeth like daggers.

But Dana saw worrying signs once the dragon stopped moving. Many scales were cut, and she saw scar tissue underneath them. One horn was noticeably shorter than the other, like it had been broken off. The dragon approached them with a pronounced limp.

“Scald, I presume?” Jayden said.

The dragon fixed its eyes on him and spoke with a masculine voice, and a hint of angry teenager. “You’re the ones going after the wyvern?”

“We are.”

Scald lowered his head to the ground so they could climb onto him. Jayden helped Dana mount the dragon and sat her at the base of the monster’s neck before sitting behind her. “My wings are stiff, so hold on tight.”

Scald beat his massive wings, blowing dust at the crowd who cheered all the same. He took to the air gradually. Dana wrapped her arms around the dragon’s neck as it went higher and higher. She saw residents of Dragon Roost waving, and at the edge of the crowd Skythex and his friends watched in disbelief.

The dragon wasn’t exaggerating the effect his injuries were having on him. He flew slowly and his breathing was labored. He was also staying low, barely above treetops and rooftops as he headed for the border with Meadowland.

Beautiful as it was to see the kingdom from above, Dana found the trip almost unbearable. The wind was blowing so hard her hair and clothes were a mess. The dragon’s scales were hot, almost too much for her to touch. Then they flew through a cloud of gnats. Dana didn’t see them in time and a lot of them went in her mouth. She coughed and tried to spit, and ended up swallowing half of them.

“Sorry about the bugs,” Scald said. “It’s like this in summer.”

“We’ve endured worse,” Jayden told him.

Scald beat his huge wings twice before gliding for a time. “I heard you two fought off the attack last night. I should have taken those bums out of the sky before they were close enough to even see the castle. You could have lost your lives, and so could Rascan and his daughter. Once I’m healthy I’ll keep that from happening again.”

“Your courage does you credit,” Jayden said.

“Be careful with the wyvern,” Scald warned. “He’s fast and mean. Swooped down on me when the sun was in my eyes.”

“The king said there’s a funny smelling fort near where this happened,” Dana said. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”

“It’s deep in the forest, big enough for a hundred men and fenced in with barricades. You’ll smell it long before you see it, and funny doesn’t cover the stench. I don’t know what’s making the stink. It smells like animals, but it’s not livestock or any monster I’ve met.”

Scald flew over the fort Dana and Jayden had come to when they’d first entered Bascal. Soldiers waved and cheered at the sight of the dragon. Seconds later they entered Meadowland. Dana saw large army camps in the distance, far larger than Bascal’s. There were banners proclaiming the presence of mercenary companies, and beyond those were wagon trains heavy with supplies to keep so many men fed. Quite a few of those men were archers, and she wondered how much damage they could do to Scald if he came closer. Scald flew far from the nearest enemy camps and outposts before landing in a clearing around a river.

“This is the closest place open enough for me to land,” Scald said. He lowered himself to the ground so they could get off, a move that made him grunt in pain. “You’re about a day’s march from the camp. The wyvern might not live there, so this could be a wild goose chase.”

Jayden climbed off the dragon and helped Dana down. “Wyverns are known for their great appetites and foul dispositions. If its rider wants to keep it from eating civilians and soldiers, he has to keep it far away from them. This fort is a likely home base.”

Scald grunted again as he rose. “I’ll check here every day for the next week. Good luck.”

The dragon took to the air again. Dana saw him wince with every wing beat. She’d had her share of bad experiences with monsters, but unlike them Scald was intelligent, and he was hurting. “I hope he’ll be all right.”

“As do I. Bascal needs him more than ever. He could be the reason why they survive this war.” Jayden checked his map of the region before pointing into the woods. “There’s a game trail that goes close to our destination.”

Dana and Jayden headed deep into the forest. These were huge trees, so large they shaded the ground even at noon. Few smaller trees grew between them, and the undergrowth was limited to ferns and strange whiplike plants. Below that was a thick layer of rotting leaves and branches, so deep Dana sank in up to her ankles.

“I,” Dana began nervously, “I know this isn’t the time, but I’m sorry.”

“If this is about Skythex, save your apologies for when you’ve done something wrong. It was a pleasure seeing you put him in his place.”

“No, it wasn’t right. I’d been having a bad week and was riled up after yesterday’s fight. I took it out on him. I should have talked it out, listened to him, tried to find a way to calm him down. That’s what I usually do and it works. I let my temper get the best of me.”

Jayden peered into the dense woods. “That appears to be the trail we’re looking for. Dana, in my youth I learned the rules of etiquette used by nobles and kings. The rules in this situation would require me to make an undeserved apology, groveling by another name, and pay him off. His witnesses would have shared the tale how he humbled the world’s only Sorcerer Lord, which would encourage others to follow his example. I have no intention of spending the rest of my life dealing with idiots who think I’ll back down if pushed hard enough.”

Dana followed Jayden onto the trail and headed west. “He’s a jerk, but that makes it worse. King Rascan is worried his people won’t follow him, especially his nobles. He’s working hard to keep everyone upbeat and focused on winning the war.”

“A pity Skythex isn’t.”

Feeling sick to her stomach, Dana asked, “What if my challenging Skythex pushes him over the edge? What if he decides he’s not getting the respect or opportunities he deserves from Rascan, and maybe Tyros will be more generous? What if I just started a civil war in Bascal?”

“You did no such thing,” he said firmly. “Skythex is inexperienced and stupid. You gave him what he needed, whether he realizes it or not. You saw how he treated Stillman, a loyal knight. He’s gone too long thinking he’s better than everyone by right of birth, and that his total lack of skill, intelligence and bravery doesn’t matter. Sooner or later he was going to meet someone who wasn’t impressed by his rank and title.

“In peacetime his attitude is insufferable, and in times of war it could destroy Bascal. His bravado in the capital got him humiliated. Imagine what it would do if he started a fight with the Inspired. He would die stupidly, and any man unlucky enough to be under his command would die tragically. Or worse, he’d freeze, or run away when others needed him to act.”

Jayden took a deep breath. “Skythex has three choices. The first is he can reflect on what happened and become a better man. More likely he will go home and sink into a foul mood, blaming everyone but himself for his problems. You might be right and he could do something foolish, but treason? As much as I loathe him, I don’t believe he’d do that. Give him some credit, if only a little.”

It took a lot of effort for her to meet his eyes. “You don’t think I screwed up?”

“No, but I’m not the best judge of such things. We’re going to find this wyvern, put an end to it and bring back its head. Imagine what Skythex will think when he sees it.”

* * * * *