“What’s going on? What are you doing here?” Lanni asked, surprised to see them boarding the ship. Azlos glanced at the group assembled on the desk. “Checking on all of you,” he said briskly. “Let’s get below deck before this one freezes.” He gestured to Shan, who was drenched, shivering, and soaking the woolen blanket wrapped around him. “Healing’s needed, too,” Midta added, placing a concerned hand on Shan’s shoulder. He gave a weak smile and nodded though his teeth chattered. The group descended into the cramped galley. The room was dimly lit, the steady creak of wood and the occasional slosh of seawater against the hull adding a sense of urgency. Shan slipped away to change into dry clothes while the expectant others crowded around a worn table. “Now, explain,” Lanni pressed, her eyes narrowing. Jahree, standing at her elbow, raised an eyebrow at her for ordering a superior officer around. Azlos, however, didn’t seem fazed. He merely exhaled and launched into his account. “We received a report from a man whose father was insisting that dragons in Yarba were in trouble,” he began, his eyes moving from Lanni to the others as he spoke. “The son didn’t put much faith in it—the father’s got Nielboh. He reported it mostly to keep him happy. Then, a mother came to us saying her daughter claimed the Yarbs were eating magic. It seemed like a stretch, but we started looking into it.” He paused, eyeing Lanni with an inscrutable look. “Only… we weren’t finding much. Winter has been brutal—few merchants were coming through the mountain passes, and every attempt at scrying failed. Worse, telepathy hasn’t been getting through to anyone in the region. And Tercala…” He glanced away briefly, brows knitting. “Tercala is missing. Someone thought they heard a faint telepathic call from him about Yarbs, but he didn’t respond to any questions.” “Ter’s here,” Lanni said with a reassuring nod. Azlos’s gaze sharpened. “Good. I’ll need to talk to him about desertion.” Lanni’s jaw tightened. “He’s hurt, Azlos. Injured in the line of duty.” He raised a hand in placation. “I said talk, not discipline.” He shot her a half-smile. “Later.” She leaned forward, more intent. “Finish your explanation.” Azlos gave a short nod and resumed. “We’ve sent scouts in, members of the honor guard. None have returned. Then, a human woman came to us. She told us her husband, a soldier stationed in Chervil, scried her. She said he and others were heading south by boat.” “Actually, he didn’t tell her himself,” Lanni interjected. “One of the refugees here, a little girl, told them about it.” Az nodded in acknowledgment. “She mentioned that too, yes. It was about the same time we heard the report about Tercala. So we started up the coast, checking ships and possible landing points. That’s when Krina here came and joined us.” Azlos gestured to Krina, who had been watching the exchange quietly. “He mentioned he had found a ship filled with soldiers fleeing Yarba.” “My son is on this ship,” Krina said, his voice low but steady. “I wanted to make sure he got to safety.” Azlos’s expression flickered with surprise. “Your son? I didn’t know we had any rocs enlisted. And I hadn’t realized we had a merman aboard either. Is he part of the crew?” “No,” Lanni replied with a slight shake of her head. “He’s a merroc—Krina’s son and a Menthanlan soldier.” Azlos’s brow furrowed, trying to piece it together. “A merroc, eh? Well, it’s good to have him with us. And who else is here? I thought I saw Ray—unless it was Cari?” “That was Ray,” Lanni confirmed. “She showed up with a refugee from Tameria. Things got heated when they tried to come. They had to fend off a few watchmen. She misaimed her spell.” “Wait,” Azlos said, eyes narrowing. “So the Tamerians know what she’s doing?” “It was Grandma Lonna,” Lanni replied as if that explained it. Azlos blinked. “Lonna? Your namesake? She’d alive?” Lanni nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. “It’s a long story.” Azlos let out a low whistle, a rare show of surprise. “That report’s going to be quite the read.” He rubbed his temples. “Who else?” “The squad you sent for honor guard evaluation, Morina, Kritalla, Chapado, Captain Samar, Captain Keltis, one soldier’s pledged, and a few refugees.” “Refugees?” Azlos asked, his voice cautious. Lanni took a deep breath. “Lord Rantar’s stable hand, assistant cook, and youngest daughter.” Az’s eyes narrowed slightly. “His daughter?” Lanni nodded. “She’s an augmenter. She was terrified of being collared for her abilities and ran. She hid in our wagon, and we were too far to turn back when we discovered her. Chapado and I are acting as her foster mothers. We have the legal right to keep her with us until we know she’d be safe going home. Going back would mean a lifetime of pain and confinement for her.” Azlos nodded, then met Lanni’s gaze with a look of focused concern. “And what exactly is going on?” “We don’t know much,” Lanni replied, her voice tense. “The Yarbs have created a blood charm that they’re calling a ‘magic eater.’ It’s similar to the magic-blocking potion they used on me during the slaughter at Raklar.” Azlos’s expression darkened. “Whose blood did they use?” “Tamerians,” she replied grimly. “The ones with magic resistance.” Azlos nodded slowly, connecting the dots. “That incident with your chosen?” Lanni nodded, her face drawn. “We think so. Grandma Lonna believes she has some insights into it. She and Uncle Ter reviewed her old notes, but it’s all very technical.” “Lonna?” Az looked at her incredulously. “How? I thought—” Lanni waved off his question. “Long story. I’ll explain another time.” Az’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, but he let it go. “I’m definitely going to be there when you give this report to the kings.” “Me too,” Midta added with a grin. He stepped forward to give Lanni a tight hug, then turned to Jahree, surprising him by wrapping him in an enthusiastic embrace. “Welcome to the family, Dad.” Jahree laughed, blinking in confusion. “Dad?” Midta laughed, too, teasingly patting him on the back. “You do know she’s my mom, right?” Jahree raised an eyebrow. “I know, but you’ve always said I’d never be a ‘dad.’ It’ll take some getting used to… especially when it’s coming from someone a thousand years older than me.” Lanni smirked. “You’ll have time to get used to it. You aren’t his dad yet.” But Midta’s eyes were resolute. “You’re mated. I can see it.” He said it so simply as if that answered everything. “I am,” Lanni acknowledged, glancing between them. “But I’m not your mother.” Midta’s smile faded slightly. “Oh? What about her?” Lanni took a steadying breath. “When we get somewhere safe with some privacy.” “What are you talking about?” Jahree asked, frowning. “Drepal is Midta’s mom, not me. She was awake then,” Lanni explained. Jahree’s mouth fell open. “Drepal? She was a wake for nine months?” It didn’t seem possible—Drepal was usually awake only for a few hours at a time. Lanni’s eyes held a touch of humor. “It would have been a year,” she reminded him. “But no, it was one night plus labor. I dealt with him the rest of the time.” Azlos’s eyebrows rose as he took in the news. “You two mated?” He smiled warmly. “Congratulations.” He hugged them both. “Welcome to the family.” Jahree was still processing. “You and Lanni… are related?” He looked at Azlos, slightly stunned. Azlos grinned. “Yes, I’m her nephew—though I’ve lost track of how many generations are between us. But we can swap family stories later. For now, we’re heading to Menthanla with you all. Although…” He scanned the crowded galley with a sigh. “With this many, we might need to rethink our route. Merchants need escorts, and this group…” He trailed off, looking pointedly at Lanni. “Is Tercala well enough to fly?” Lanni’s face darkened. “No. He was stabbed clean through from the back.” “He’s going to need surgery,” Midta added. “And he won’t be able to change form until he’s healed. Ket’s working out the plans.” “Is he that clear-headed?” Lanni asked. Her expression softened slightly. Midta nodded, visibly relieved. “He’s doing much better.” Azlos looked thoughtfully around the room. “And the merroc?” “That would be Shan,” Lanni said. Azlos glanced toward the door where Shan had slipped out. “Could he carry someone?” “One,” Lanni replied. Azlos started making calculations aloud. “Alright. Shan can take one, Ray can manage two… That leaves fifteen for the rest of us if we’re taking everyone. But I hoped to leave a couple of guards with the ship in case of another attack.” Captain Pinno interjected, his voice calm and unhurried. “That won’t be necessary. The Yarbs know where our loyalties lie.” Lanni raised an eyebrow. “With the bankers?” Pinno grinned, unashamed. “Exactly. As long as we’re in Yarb waters, we answer to Yarb banks.” “But you’re transporting Menthanlan soldiers,” Azlos pointed out, his tone wary. Pinno shrugged. “Who paid us with Yarb funds. And they’ll be gone if you take them all—no proof of anything.” Lanni laughed. “We do owe one of those soldiers, actually. Long story.” Azlos looked around the group with a smile. “Well, I can’t wait for that report.” He shook his head, chuckling. “But first, let’s figure out these arrangements. How many guards did you bring?” “Six,” Azlos replied. Lanni frowned. “Six guards for fifteen people? And that’s if we’re including the smaller folk.” “But Tercala’s not small,” Azlos reminded her, “and neither is the troll.” Krina, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward. “I can carry one if that would help.” Azlos sighed. “I suppose that leaves the last spot for me, then.” Jahree’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait—you’re a dragon?” Azlos shrugged. “In part. I’m… a bit of everything—dragon, human, elf, dwarf, gnome, Ertonian, troll—apparently even unicorn. Though I’m mostly human, you can see the slight points on my ears. And I can change into a dragon, although it’s a bit painful.” Lanni grinned. “At least you don’t get mistaken for a child.” Azlos laughed, rubbing his chin. “I had to keep a beard for years just to avoid that! I owe all that to Shawatila’s legacy.” He looked around, his gaze growing serious. “But that’s a tale for another time. We should all get some rest and be ready to leave by first light.” #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands