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“Young dragons and their parents don’t come,” Siniari said, then pretended to look confused. “I’m not sure what Jacine is doing here.”
She looked at him and grimaced, but it was all in good fun.
Fel couldn’t help thinking about Naia, wondering if she was safe, wondering what was happening back in Aluria, in Umbraar, in Frostlake. Would she know he was safe? Would she be worried? Was that fae taking good care of her? He’d never spent so long away from his sister, and being in difficult circumstances only made it tougher to bear. He also missed his father—heartfather, like the dragons said—and wondered what was happening to him. At least Leah was here, and safe. For now.
Eleven dragons landed at the center of the circle, then twelve more dragons landed in front of them, and took their human forms. One of the dragons was Ekateni, and Fel didn’t know the others. In the middle stood Relia, in dark red leather armor.
She addressed the benches. “Do you know why we are here tonight?’
A few voices here and there shouted, “The Iron Dragon.”
“Yes, yes.” She smiled. “Many said there was no such thing. Many said it was a pointless prophecy, but this afternoon we had proof. Proof that the iron dragon is among us, to fight by our side, to smash the Boundless.”
“Smash!” someone shouted.
Fel thought it was in bad taste, if it was true that many of their friends and loved ones had joined the Boundless.
Relia had a smile. “I became your Dragon’s Eye not for hollow words, but for action, for victory. I am confident we are going to win this minor conflict. I’m confident we are going to spread our dominion across Fernick again. We are going to rule this land, without fear of other dragons, without fear of any magical creatures. And here he is, the Iron Dragon, none less than Ircantari’s son. Please come forward.” She gestured to Fel.
Great. Apparently he was going to be known as the Iron Dragon, as she didn’t even mention his name. Still, he fluttered to the center, as it would look more gracious than walking. Bringing hope to these dragons wasn’t a terrible thing. His issue was that he wasn’t sure how much he could do for them, and wasn’t sure if empty hope was what they needed.
Fel looked back at Leah, who stood by his cousins and smiled, even if she was stiffer than normal. She had asked him to hide his magic, and he had done his best to honor her request—until he couldn’t anymore. And now they were celebrating his magic, so that every dragon in that valley knew about it.
Relia stood by him. “The Iron Dragon is in his pure form, and will rarely turn human. He represents the best of us. Three thousand years ago, the One Seer predicted that an iron dragon would be our light in the darkness. I say that we are our own light. But I also say that this is the proof, the proof we are on the right track, the proof we’re about to achieve victory!”
At least she wasn’t saying that Fel was going to save everyone, but there was a certain edge to it… He couldn’t quite figure what it was.
The woman continued, “Tonight is a night for dancing, for celebration, but before that, we’re going to honor our iron dragon, empower him.” She turned to Fel. “Stay still, this might tingle. It’s just a silly, old tradition.”
The thought had been sent to him only, he realized.
The dragons in human form around him approached and touched him, ten hands on the sides of his body, tails, and wings.
Relia addressed the crowd. “Some of our Council members are gifting him with their magic.”
Fel didn’t sense anything different, except for one woman who was touching his wing too lightly and tickled a little. He closed his eyes and forced himself to stay still. As far as he was aware, magic couldn’t be transferred from person to person, but then again, what did he know about dragon magic? Which only made whatever they were doing pointless. If magic could be transferred, it should be sent to someone who would know what to do with it. Then again, they meant to honor him, and he was grateful for their intention.
The members of the Council stepped back, and then Relia took a large cup and poured a dark liquid in it from a bottle. “To the Iron Dragon, the gift of life.”
Fel thought she was going to propose a toast, but instead, she approached him and sent a thought. “Just open your mouth. I’ll drip it over your tongue, like a medicine.”
This was going to be tricky and strange. He didn’t control his fire very well—didn’t control any part of this body well, in fact, and opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue seemed odd. It would be odd if he were in human form as well. Still, he didn’t want to disrespect or disappoint the dragons, so he lowered his head as much as he could and opened his mouth, holding his breath just in case, to prevent any accidental fire from coming out. He didn’t want to scorch Relia or anyone in the audience.
From the corner of his eye, he saw someone from the audience jump into the circle. Then something hit Relia’s hand—a stone. A strange, golden net flew over the intruder, who lowered her hood. It was Tzaria.
“Execute her!” Relia said. “She tried to kill the iron dragon.”
Tzaria was trying to get up, while the net kept her on the floor. “With a stone? Doubtful. You were the one trying to poison Isofel.”
“Liar!” Relia turned to the others. “She must be executed.”
Ekateni stepped in front of Tzaria. “Wait. Let’s hear what she has to say.”
Relia’s eyes were wide. “The penalty for returning to the dragon sanctuary is death. I want her dead!”
“No,” Ekateni said. “Let’s be reasonable.” He turned to Tzaria. “How did you get here? Why are you saying it’s poisoned?”
“Can’t you see?” the blond woman said. “Relia is corrupted. Perhaps she doesn’t know it yet, but corruption has taken over her. Drinking a liquid is not part of our strengthening ritual. The conclusion is obvious.”
