And this one could speak.
“Evva—evva vai Sibari,” said Esofi haltingly. Compared to her mastery of the languages of Thiyra and Ioshora, she had only a rudimentary grasp on it and doubted she’d be able to say anything of worth.
“I did not wish to die,” said the dragon. It looked down at the wound Esofi had inflicted. “I am not ready to see Dia Astera.”
Esofi had so many questions, but not enough words. “Then…why?” she asked, hoping he understood her meaning.
“Orders,” said the dragon.
“Who orders?”
“Rvadron.”
Esofi shook her head blankly at the unfamiliar word.
“Mother has warned us, but he will not listen,” continued the dragon mournfully. “I hope that when he arrives, you pay him the same favor.”
“Why do you only speak to me now?” asked Esofi.
“You wear Mother’s marks,” said the dragon. “There, on your back.”
“Oh,” said Esofi, wondering how in the world she could have forgotten. The phases of the moon, ornately decorated and stylized, had been tattooed down her spine in sapphire ink. She had received them as part of her full initiation into the Silence of the Moon. With her dress torn as it was, the marks were now visible. “Wait! I will call a healer!”
“I will not betray my Rvadron, even if I could,” said the dragon. “A quick death at your hands is preferable to what he will do if…” The immense body suddenly shuddered. The blood was coming more quickly now, streaming across the stones. The dragon lowered its head to rest against the ruined wall.
“I am sorry,” whispered Esofi. “I’m so sorry.”
“You could not know what was never spoken,” said the dragon. Its eyes—his eyes—were growing dull. “Perhaps Dia Astera will be an improvement. I leave this in your hands.”
By the time the guards arrived in a cacophony of iron and shouting, he was already dead.
Esofi was aware they were asking her questions but could do no more than stare blankly. Someone finally grabbed her by the wrists—Captain Lehmann.
“Princess, are you injured?” he demanded. “Can you hear me?”
Esofi shook her head. Then she nodded.
“All right, that’s enough,” snapped a familiar voice. Esofi turned, as Lisette emerged from the shadow of the tower. She was dressed in hooded leather armor. “The princess needs to return to the castle.”
Captain Lehmann released her arms, and Esofi went to Lisette.
“You saw?” asked Esofi.
“I saw,” confirmed Lisette. “I heard.”
For some reason, this was comforting. “You could have helped.”
“I would have if you needed it,” said Lisette, unbothered. Esofi started as something touched her back, only to realize that Captain Lehmann was draping his cloak across her shoulders.
“Where is the crown princess?” Esofi asked.
“She’s out here too?” Lehmann looked enraged. “Of course. She’ll see me cast out of the city yet.”
“I left her in a tavern,” said Esofi. “With her friends.”
“You will find them in the Rabbit District,” contributed Lisette. “Now, I need to get the princess back to the castle immediately.”
Lehmann barked out a few orders, and Esofi was led down to the ground. There, more guards waited with a pair of Ieflarian mountain ponies for her and Lisette. As they rode through the streets, Esofi could see people beginning to emerge from the buildings warily, still occasionally glancing skyward. But mostly, they stared at her. Esofi spared a moment to wonder how terrible she must look, dress torn practically in two and covered in drying dragon blood.
But that wasn’t important, not compared to the fact that the dragon had spoken to her—and in a language of Men, no less. Esofi had been raised to believe that the dragons had lost the ability to speak in ages long past, and none of the dragons she’d encountered had ever challenged the notion until now.
But why? Men had killed so many dragons in the last century. If they could speak, if they could reason, it could have all been avoided. But the things the dragon had said made her think that the dragons were actively choosing not to speak.
He trusted me because he realized I was a follower of Talcia. But he saw my magic long before the Silence markings. Why is magic alone not enough?
I need to learn to speak Sibari properly.
They made it back to the castle without incident. Adale was waiting for them just in front of the main entryway, pacing anxiously. When she saw Esofi, she hurried to meet her.
“Are you all right?” cried Adale.
Esofi just nodded.
“You’re covered in blood!”
“It’s not mine,” said Esofi, looking down at her dress.
“Oh,” said Adale. “I…I saved your…” She pulled a handful of jewelry from her bag and proffered it to Esofi. Esofi gave a small laugh and passed the jewels to Lisette, who huffed and strode into the castle.
“We’re in trouble, aren’t we?” asked Esofi, following after her.
“Well, I am,” said Adale, rubbing the back of her neck. “I think they’ll forgive you, though, since you killed another dragon.”
Esofi said nothing. To Adale—to everyone—the dragon had just been another roving monster. How in the world could she convince everyone that it was more complicated than that?
“Do you speak Sibari?” asked Esofi abruptly.
“Sibari?” Adale repeated. “A little. It could be better. Why?”
“The dragon spoke to me in Sibari,” said Esofi. “Just before he died.”
Adale stared at her. “What?”
“He spoke to me,” said Esofi. “In Sibari. But he kept saying a word—Rvadron. I don’t know what—”
“Dragons can’t talk.” Adale was still frowning. “You told me so yourself.”
“This one could!” Esofi gripped a handful of her own hair. It was stained red. “And I think the others can, too. They’re just…choosing not to. I swear I’m not mad.”
“I don’t think you’re mad,” said Adale. “But I am confused. Why don’t the dragons talk to us?”
“It’s something to do with Talcia,” said Esofi. “And the Rvadron. I’m just not sure what. I need to sit down and think, but I’m too exhausted right now.”
“The ambassador from Veravin is here with his wife,” offered Adale. “You could meet with them tomorrow. Maybe they’ll be able to help you.”
Esofi rubbed at the blood drying on the side of her face with Lehmann’s cloak, knocking it askew. “I just hope they don’t think I dreamed the whole thing.”
“Even if they do, they can’t do anything about it,” said Adale. “They’re ambassadors, they have to be… What is that?”
“What?”
“The markings on your back… No, don’t turn around, I want to see them.” Esofi was all too aware of Adale staring on her back. “What are they?”
“It’s…difficult to explain,” said Esofi.
“I want to see all of it,” said Adale, reverently.
Esofi wrapped the cloak around her shoulders again. “Sign the marriage contract, and you shall.”
Chapter Six
ADALE
Adale woke with a sense of purpose and a throbbing headache. The festivities had continued into the night after news of Esofi slaying the dragon made it around the city, and she’d seen no reason to go to bed after that. The twins were furious that Adale had managed to steal Esofi away during the ball and had made their displeasure known by spilling wine on her when she’d returned to their party to see if there was any food left.