NIGHT

OFTHE

DRAGON

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ISBN-13:978-1-4391-5271-3
ISBN-10:1-4391-5271-3

VisitusontheWorldWideWeb:

http://www.SimonSays.com

ThisoneisforEvelyn,Mick—anddefinitelyChris—invaluable

partnersinthecraftingofAzeroth’smanytales

NIGHT

OFTHE

DRAGON

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

ewastrapped…trapped…trapped…

Thedarknessofhisprisonclosedinaroundhim.Hecouldnotbreathe,couldnotmove.Howhad

thishappened?Whatwerethefoullittlecreatureswhohadsomehowmanagedtoensnarehim?Vermin
capturingaleviathan!Itwasimpossible!

Butithadhappened…
Hewantedtoroar,butcouldnot.Therewasnosoundhere,anyway.Thesilencedrovehimmad.

Heneededtobefree!Therehadtobesomeescape—

Ablindingemeraldlightenvelopedhim.Heshriekedasitpainfullyrippedhimfromhisprisonand

thrusthimintothebeyond.

Butthatshriekturnedintoamightyroarofreliefmixedwithfury.Hespreadwidehismagnificent,

shimmeringwings,hisgargantuan,tealformfillingmuchofthisnewplaceinwhichhefoundhimself.
Jagged,almostcrystallineprotrusionseruptedalonghisspineandhead,thelattercreatinganimpressive
crestakintothosewornonawarlord’shelm.Huge,glitteringwhiteorbs—morelikepearlsthaneyes—
sweptoveramassivecavernfilledwithtoothyprojectionsthrustingfromboththeroundedceilingand
theroughfloor.

Andthenhisbalefulgazefellupontheverminthathaddared—somehow!—totraphisgreatness.

Asubtlemagentaaurasuddenlyradiatedfromhimashebellowedhisrighteousfury.

“Foullittleworms!Foullittlegremlins!YouwoulddaremakeofZzerakuacagedpet?”As

Zzerakucriedout,hisalreadyetherealbodygrewmoretranslucent.Hefixedonasmallpartyofhis
captors.Theywereuglylittlethingsthatmovedlikesquasheddraeneibutwerescaledinsomeplaces
andfurredinothers.Theyhadviciouslittlemouthsfilledwithsharpteethandworehoodedand
armoredgarments.Theireyeswereredlikemoltenearthanddespitehisobviousthreattothem,they
didnotappearproperlyfrightened.

ItwascleartoZzerakuthattheyknewverylittleaboutnetherdragons.
“Foullittleworms!Foullittlegremlins!”herepeated.Hisbodysuddenlycrackledwithlightning

thecolorofhiswondrousself.Hereachedoutatalonedpawasiftowipeawaythecreatures,the
lightningsuddenlyshootingforthfromit.

Thefirstboltswentoddlyastray,turningfromthelittlecreaturesatthelastmoment.Atthesame

time,theforeheadsofeachbrieflyrevealedastrange,glowingrune.

Withouthesitation,thecaptivenetherdragoncastagain.However,thistimethelightningstruck

thegroundaroundhistormentors.Rockanddirtexplodedeverywhere,thesnarlinglittlebeaststhrown
withtherest.Theirhissingbodiesscatteredthroughtheairwithpleasingeffect.“Foullittleworms!
Zzerakuwillsquashyouall!”

Hesummonedmoreofhispower.Veinsofdarkazuresuddenlycrisscrossedhischest.The

lightningcrackledmoreviolently.

Fromsomewheretotheside,along,sinewystrandofsilverenergyloopedaroundhisleft

forelimb,tighteningpainfully.

Startled,Zzerakuforgothisownintendedattack.Thenetherdragonwasacreatureofenergy;the

strandshouldhaveslippedthroughhim.Hesnappedatit,onlytoreceiveaviciousjolttohisjaws.His
limbdropped,suddenlybereftofallstrength.

Asthathappened,hisotherforelimbwaslikewisesnared.Zzerakutuggedinvain,theslender

magicalstrandsoverypowerful.

Thenetherdragon’sbodyswelled,theblueveinsthatdistinctlymarkedZzerakunownearlyblack.

Hetookonanevenmoretransparentappearance,asiffadingawaytomist.

Thesilverstrandsflared.
Zzerakuletoutapainedroarandfellforward,crashingonthecavernfloorasifmadeoffleshand

bone.Cracksranacrossthestone.Acrevasseopenedup,intowhichtwoofthetinycreaturestumbledto
theirdoom.

Theothersignoredthefatesoftheircomradesastheysetintomotiontwomoresilverstrands.Five

oftheverminatatimewieldedthesinisterthreadsofenergyasifgiganticwhips.Thestrandssoared
unerringlyoverZzerakutotheopposingside,wheretheendswereseizedandguidedintotheground
withsmallemeraldstones.

“ReleaseZzeraku!”thenetherdragonroaredasthestrandsflashedandhisbodysufferedrenewed

agony.“Releaseme!”

Thenewstrandsforcedhimtoflattenagainstthefloor.Zzerakustruggled,buthismagicalbonds

kepthispowersentirelyincheck.

Allaroundhim,thescalyfiguresrushedabout,addingdreadlineafterdreadlineuntiltheyhadall

butenshroudedhiminthem.Eachcutintothenetherdragon’sbody,simultaneouslyburningand
freezinghim.Zzerakushriekedhisfuryandpain,butnothingthathedidcouldalterhissituation.

Thecreaturescontinuedtofeverishlywork,evidentlyuncertainastothestrengthofthestrands.

Withtheemeralds,theyconstantlyreadjustedthebonds,oftentothenetherdragon’sfurthertorture.
Onechortledathispain.

Zzerakumanagedalastburstofenergyatthattormentor.Blackenergysurroundedthecreature,

whonowshriekedwithsatisfyingfear.Thenetherdragon’smagiccrushedtheonecaptorintoapulpy
messthatthensolidifiedintoebonycrystal.

Immediately,anotherstrandfellacrosshismuzzle,clampingitdown.Theglisteningleviathan

fought,buthisjawswereheldastightastherestofhim.

Hiscaptorscontinuedtoscuttleaboutthehugecavernasifingreatanxiousness,althoughZzeraku

couldnolongerimagineithadanythingtodowithhim.Heletoutafrustratedhiss—asoundmuffled
byhissealedmuzzle—andtriedyetagaintofreehimself.

Andyetagain,itwastonoavail.
Then,withoutwarning,thesquat,scalycreaturespausedinwhattheyweredoing.Asone,they

staredatapointtothenetherdragon’ssidebutwellbeyondhissight.However,Zzerakucouldstill
sensethatsomeoneapproached,someoneoftremendouspower.

Histruecaptor…
Thosearoundhimdroppedtothegroundinhomage.Zzerakuheardaslightmovementthatmight

havebeenthewindifnotforthefactthatnowindcouldreachthisaccursedplace.

“Youhavedonewell,myskardyn,”cameavoicethat,despiteitsfeminineallure,touchedwhat

passedforthesoulofthenetherdragonlikethecoldestice.“Iampleased….”

“Theyobeyedtheirorderswell,”repliedasecond,moremasculinespeaker.Hisvoiceheldaclear

contemptforthecreatures.“Thoughtheyopenedthechrysalunchambertoosoon,mylady.Thebeast
nearlyescaped.”

“Therewasneveraneedforconcern.Oncehere,escapeforthisonewasimpossible.”
Thefemininevoicedrewnearer…andsuddenlyasmallformsteppedintosightbeforeZzeraku.A

palefigurecladinaform-fittinggownthecolorofnightpausedtostudyhimandbestudiedinturn.She

remindedZzerakuofanother,onewhohadtriedtobefriendhimandtaughthimsomethingbeyondthe
absolutechaoshehadknownintherealmsomecalledOutland.Yet,thenetherdragoncouldsmellthat
thisbeing,whilesimilarinsomewaystotheoneherecalled,wasalsoverydifferentinothers.

Long,ebonyhairfloweddownpasthershoulders.Shekepthercountenancetotheside,asifnot

payingparticularattentiontothecaptivebeasteventhoughZzerakuknewfullwellthatshedid.What
thenetherdragoncouldseeofherfeatureswereflawlessinthewayhisfriend’shadbeen,evenmoreso.

YetthecoldnessZzerakufeltfromthathalf-liddedgazemadethegiantstruggleanew.
Theedgeofherredlipscurledup.“Youneednottroubleyourselfso,mylittleone.Rather,you

shouldmakeyourselfcomfortable.Afterall…I’veonlybroughtyouhome.”

Herwordsmadenosense.Zzerakustrainedathisbonds,seekingescape…escapefromthistiny

figurethatsomehowsofrightenedhim.

Sheturnedtofacehimdirectly,indoingsorevealingthattheleftsideofhervisagewasdrapedby

asilkenveil…aveilthatflutteredasidejustenoughwhensheturnedtoletthenetherdragonseethe
horrific,scorchedfleshbeneathandthegapwhereonceaneyehadbeen.

Andalthoughshewasamerespeckincomparisontothegirthofthenetherdragon,theimageof

herruinedcountenancestillmagnifiedZzeraku’sanxietyathousandfold.Hewantedtobeawayfromit,
wantednevertoseeit.Evenwhentheveilsettledoverthemarredarea,thenetherdragoncouldstill
sensethehorrificevilbeneath.

EvilthatfaroutshoneanythathehadknowninOutland.
Hercoldsmilestretchedfartheryet,fartherthanherfaceshouldhaveallowed.
“Youshallrestnow,”shesaidinatonethatdemandedheobey.AsZzerakuinstantlybegantolose

consciousness,sheadded,“Restandhavenofear…afterall,you’reamongfamilyhere,mychild….”

ONE

oquicklypassestimewhenonemanagestolivetobesoold,thoughttherobedfigureashesatinhis

mountainsanctumsurveyingtheworldthroughanendlessseriesofglimmeringglobeshoveringaround
him.Atagesturefromtheircreator,theyshiftedaboutthegargantuanovalchamber.Thosehemost
desiredcametorestbeforehimjustaboveoneofaseriesofpedestalsforgedbyhismagicfromthe
stalagmitesthathadoncefilledthisplace.Atthebase,eachpedestalappearedasifcarvedbyanartisan,
soperfectwerethelines,theangles.However,astheyrose,theytransformedintowhatwasmorethe
dreamsofthesleepingratherthantheresultofphysicallabor.Inthosedreams,therewerehintsof
dragons,hintsofspirits,intheshaping,andattheverytopsomethingresemblingapetrifiedhandwith
long,sinewyfingersstretchedup,almostbutnotquitegraspingthesphereabove.

Andineachofthespheresappearedasceneofmuchrelevancetothewizard,Krasus.
Thefaintrumbleofthundermanagingtoreachhishiddensanctumgavegreatindicationtothe

turbulentweatherwithout.ShroudedthisfouleveinvioletrobesthathadoncebespokenoftheKirin
Tor,thelanky,palespellcasterleanedclosetobetterviewthelatestscene.Thesphere’sblue
illuminationrevealedinturnfeaturesakintothoseofthehighelves—apeoplenowallbutextinct—
includingtheangularbonestructure,thepatriciannose,andthelonghead.Yet,despitealsobearingthe
handsomenessofthatfallenrace,Krasuswasclearlynotofanytrueelvenlineage.Itwasnotmerely
thathishawklikefacehadlinesandscars—mostnotablythreelong,jaggedonesrunningdowntheright
cheek—thatnoelfofanysortcouldgainunlesshehadlivedwellpastathousandyears,northeexotic
blackandcrimsonstreaksinhissilverhair.Rather,itwashisglittering,blackeyes—eyeslikenoelfnor
evenanyhuman—thattoldofanagebeyondanymortalcreature.

Anagepossibleonlyforoneoftheeldestofdragons.
Krasuswasthenamebywhichhewentinthisform,anamethatmanyknewonlyasonceasenior

memberoftheinnercircleofDalaran’srulingcouncilofwizards.ButDalaranhadfailedtostemthe
growingtideofevildespitethebestofefforts,ashadfailedsomanyotherkingdomsduringthewars
againsttheorcsandthesubsequentoneagainstthedemonsoftheBurningLegionandtheundead
Scourge.TheworldofAzerothhadbeenturnedupsidedown,withthousandsofliveslost,andyetwas
stillonlybarelyinbalance…abalancethatlookedmoreandmorefragilewitheverypassingday.

Itisasifwearetrappedinanever-endinggame,ourliveshingingontherollofadiceortheturn

ofacard,hethought,recallingcatastrophiceventsevenfurtherinthepast.Krasushadwitnessedthe
collapseofcivilizationsfarolderthananyexistingnow,andalthoughhehadhadahandinhelping
salvagesomethingfrommany,itneverseemedenough.Hewasonlyonebeing,onedragon…evenifhe
was,intruth,Korialstrasz,consorttothegreatqueenoftheredflight,Alexstrasza.

ButnoteventhegreatAspectofLifeherself,hisbelovedmistress,couldhaveforeseenallthat

happenedorbeenabletostopthoseeventsfromtakingplace.Krasusknewthatheplacedafargreater

burdenuponhimselfthanheshouldhave,butthedragonmagecouldnotrelentinhiseffortstohelpthe
peoplesofAzeroth,evenifsomeofthoseeffortsweredoomedtofailurefromthestart.

Indeed,therewereevennowmanysituationsthatdrewhisattention,situationswiththepotential

towreakutterhavocuponhisworld…andatthecoreofthoseproblemswerehisownkind,thedragons.
TherewasthevastriftleadingintotheastoundingrealmcalledOutland,agreatportalthatinparticular
bothfascinatedanddisturbedthebluedragonflight,keepersofmagicitself.Fromithadalreadycomea
mysteriouscureforthemadnessthathadlongengulfedthebluelord.YetalthoughtheAspectofMagic,
Malygos,wasnowcompletelylucid,Krasusdidnotatalllikethepaththeleviathan’smindhadnow
chosen.Outragedatwhathefeltwastheyoungerraces’destructivemisuseofmagic,Malygoshad
beguntosuggesttotheotherAspectsthatapurgeofallthosewieldingsuchpowermightprove
necessarytopreserveAzeroth.Infact,hehadgrownquiteadamantaboutitthelasttimehe,
Alexstrasza,NozdormutheTimelessOne,andYsera—SheoftheDreaming—hadgatheredinthefar-
offNortheastfortheirconvocationattheancient,toweringWyrmresttempleintheice-bound
Dragonblight—asignificant,annualritualoriginallybeguntomarktheircombinedmightmanagingto
overcomethedreadDeathwingmorethanadecadeago.

Withmountingfrustration,Krasusdismissedtheimagethathehadbeenviewingandsummoned

thenext.Histhoughts,however,werestillfocusedinward,thistimeuponthelastofthefourgreat
dragons,Ysera.Therewererumorsofnightmarishthingshappeningintheetherealrealmofwhichshe
wasmistress,thealmostmythicEmeraldDream.Exactlywhatwasaquestionnoonecouldanswer,but
KrasuswasbeginningtofearthattheEmeraldDreamwasaproblempotentiallymoredisastrousthan
anyother.

Hestartedtodismissthenextspherewithoutevenreallyglancingatitscontents…thenbelatedly

recognizedthelocationrevealed.

GrimBatol.
AllthoughtofMalygosandtheEmeraldDreamvanishedfromhisattentionasKrasussurveyed

thesinistermountain.Heknewittoowell,forhehadbeenthereintimespastandhadsentagents
servinghispurposeintotheveryheartoftheaccursedplace.InGrimBatol,hisbelovedmistresshad
beenenslavedbyorcs—thesamebarbaricrace,oddlyenough,thatwouldprovesuchbeneficialallies
thirteenyearslaterwhenthedemonsoftheBurningLegionreturned—utilizingasinisterartifactcalled
theDemonSoul.TheDemonSoul,unfortunately,hadbeenabletobendherwilltotheHordebecauseit
hadbeenforgedbytheAspectsthemselves,onlytobepervertedbyoneoftheirown.Alexstraszahad
producedyoungfortheorcsfortheirwarefforts,youngwhobecamethebrutishwarriors’mountsin
battle.Youngwhohadperishedbythescoresincombatagainstwizardsanddragonsofotherflights.

Throughhisguidanceoftheimpetuouswizard,Rhonin,thehighelfwarriormaiden,Vereesa,and

others,Krasushadbeeninstrumentalinreleasinghisqueenfromcaptivity.Dwarvenfightershad
assistedinwipingouttheremainingpocketsoforcresistance.GrimBatolhadbeenemptiedout,itsevil
legacyforevereradicated.

Orsoallhadthought.Thedwarveswerethefirsttofeelthedarknessthatpermeatedit,andsothey

leftalmostimmediatelyfollowingtheorcs’defeat.Alexstraszaandhehaddecidedthenthatitwasthe
dutyoftheredflighttosealoffGrimBatolagain.Thisdespitetheironyofthefactthat,havingalready
guardeditsincetheancientBattleofMountHyjal,thereddragons’presencehadmadeitsosimplefor
theorcsarrivingtheretoenslavethemwiththeDemonSoul.

Andso,despitesomemisgivingsonKrasus’spart,crimsonbehemothshadonceagainstoodsentry

aroundthevicinity,makingcertainthatnoonewanderedin,eitherbyaccidentorthinkingtomake
someuseofthatevil.

Butthen,onlyrecently,thesentrieshadsickenedfornoreasonatall,andsomehadevendied.A

fewhadgonesoverymadthattherehadbeennochoicebuttoputthemdownforfearofthe

devastationtheymightcause.Theredflighthadfinallydoneasallothershad,abandoningGrimBatol
toitself.

Andso,ithadbecomenothingbutanemptytombmarkingtheendofanoldwarandwhathad

turnedouttobeavery,veryshortperiodofpeace.

Yet…
Krasuseyedthedarkenedscene.Evenfromsofaraway,hecouldsensesomethingradiatingfrom

within.GrimBatolhadbecomesobathedineviloverthecenturiesthattherewasnoredeemingit.

Andfromithadcomerumorsoflate,rumorsthathintedofthebalefulpastrisingfromthedead.

Krasusknewthemall.Fragmentedtalesofahuge,wingedformbarelyseeninthenightsky,aghostly
formthathad,inonecase,wipedoutanentirevillagemilesfromGrimBatol.Inthelightofthemoon,
thetellerofonetalehadclaimedtoseewhatmighthavebeenadragon…butoneneitherred,black,or
anyknowncolor.Amethystithadbeen,somethingimpossibleandsosurelyofthefrightenedfarmer’s
imagination.Still,thosewithdistantsight,mostlyagentsofhis,hadreportedstrangeemanationsinthe
skyabovethemountainandwhenone—atrustedyoungmaleofhisownflight—haddaredtrytotrack
thoseemanationsback,hehadutterlyvanished.

ToomuchwasgoingonintherestoftheworldfortheAspectstofocusuponGrimBatol,but

Krasuscouldnotletitrest.However,hecouldnolongerrelyonagents,forsacrificingotherswasnot
generallyhisway.Thisnowdemandedhisowneffort,nomatterwhattheoutcome.

Evenhisdeath.
Indeed,atthispointtherewereonlytwoothershewouldhaveentrustedevenwiththeknowledge,

butRhoninandVereesahadtroublesoftheirown.

Itwasuptohimalone,then.Withacurtwaveofhishand,Krasussentthespheresflyingintothe

shadowsabove.Deathwasnofeartohim,whohadseenitandnearlyexperienceditfartoooften.He
wantedonlythat—shouldithappen—itatleastwouldmeansomething.Hewasmorethanwillingtodie
forthesakeofhisworldandthoseheloved,ifthatwaswhatwasrequired.

Ifsuchisrequired,thedragonmagepointedouttohimself.Hehadnotyetevenbegunthejourney.

Nowwasnotthetimetothinkofhisdemise.

Thesearchmustbedonewithstealth,Krasusconsideredasheabandonedhisseat.Thisisnomere

happenstance.Thereissomethinggoingonthatthreatensusall;Ifeelit….

Ifithadbeenanothertime,ifithadbeentheSecondWar,Krasuswouldhaveknownwhoto

blame.ThemadAspectoncecalledtheEarth-Warderor,morespecifically…Neltharion.Butnoonehad
calledtheimmenseblackdragonbyhisoriginalnameformillennia,amuchmoreaptonehavingarisen
afterthefirstoftheinsanebehemoth’smonstrousplots.

Deathwing,hewascallednow.DeathwingtheDestroyer.
Krasuspausedinthemidstofthehugecavern,takingadeepbreathinpreparationforwhatwasto

comenext.No,Deathwingcouldnotbeblamedforthis,foritwasnearlypositivethathewasthistime
dead.Nearlypositive.Thatwasfarbetterthaninpastincidenceswhentheblackdragonhadonlybeen
presumedlikelydead.

AndDeathwingwasnottheonlygreatevilintheworld.
Krasusspreadhisarmstoeachside.ItdidnotmatterwhetherwhatlurkedinGrimBatolwas

simplytheculminationofagesofpastevilorsomesinisternewfoulness;hewouldfindoutthetruth.

Hisbodyswelledoutofproportion.Withagrunt,themagefelltothefloor,droppingonallfours.

Hisfacestretchedforward,hisnoseandmouthmeldingtogetherastheyformedalong,powerfulsnout.
TherobesKrasusworeshredded,thepiecesflyingupintotheair,thenimmediatelysettlingalloverhis
body,wheretheybecamehardcrimson-coloredscales.

FromKrasus’sbackbursttwosmall,webbedwingsthatgrewashisbodydid.Apointedtail

sprouted.Handsandfeettwistedintopowerfulpawsendinginasharpsetofclaws.

Thetransformationtookbuttheblinkofaneye,butbythetimeitwasdone,themageKrasuswas

nomore.Inhisplacestoodamagnificentreddragonwhonearlyfilledthecavernandwhowasdwarfed
insizebyfewofhiskindotherthanthegreatAspects.

Korialstraszstretchedhisvastwingsonce,thenleaptuptowardthestoneceiling.
Theceilingshimmeredjustbeforehereachedit,tonsofrockbecomingasifwater.Thecrimson

dragondoveintotheliquefiedstoneunimpeded.Powerfulmusclesliftedhimeverupwardashedrove
fullpacethroughthemagickedbarrier.

Secondslater,heburstintothenightsky.Therocksolidifiedbehindhim,leavingnotraceofhis

passage.

ThislatestofhissanctumsperchedamongthemountainsnearwhatremainedofDalaran.Ruins

appearedbelow,yes—fartoomanyruinsofonce-proudtowersandpowerfulkeeps—buttherewas
somethingmuch,muchmoreastoundingenvelopingmostofthefabledrealm.Itoriginatedfromwhere
theKirinTorhadruledandspreadequallyinalldirections.Itwasthedesperateattemptofthosethat
remainedoftheinnercounciltoresurrecttheirglory,torebuildtheirmightwhileaidingtheAlliance
againsttheScourge.

Itwaswhatappearedtobeavast,magicaldome,adomeofshiftingenergies,butespeciallythose

thatgaveitashimmeringvioletorgleamingwhiteappearance.Itwasutterlyopaque,givingnoclueto
theeffortswithin.Korialstraszknewwhatthewizardsplannedandthoughtthemmadforit,butletthem
doastheymust.Therewasstillthehopethattheywouldsucceed….

Despitetheirownnot-insignificantabilities,thecouncilofwizardswasutterlyignorantofthe

dragonalmostintheirmidst.Whenhehadbeenapartoftheirorder—oneofitssecretfounders,infact
—theyhadknownhimonlyasKrasus,neverashistrueself.Korialstraszpreferreditthatway;mostof
theyoungerraceswouldhavefounditimpossibletodealdirectlywithsuchamythicbeast.

Shieldedbyhismagic,thedragonflewoverthefantasticdome,thenheadedsoutheast.Hewas

temptedtoveertowardthelandsoftheredflight,butsuchadelaymightprovecostly.Hisqueenmight
alsoquestionhisjourney,evenforbidit.Evenforher,Korialstraszwouldnotturnback.

Indeed,itwasforheringreatpartthathesoughttoreturntoGrimBatol.

Thedwarveswereamotleygroup,evencomparedwithhowdwarvesoftenwereseenintheeyes

ofhumansorotherraces.Theythemselveswouldhavepreferredabetterstateofaffairs,buttheirduty
demandedthattheyignoretheirdiscomfortsforthesakeoftheirpeople.

Squatbutpowerfullybuilt,thedwarvenwarriorsnumberedbothmalesandfemales,although

thosenotoftheracemighthavehadsomedifficultydiscerningthephysicaldifferencefromadistance.
Thefemaleslackedthethickbeards,wereofslightlylesserbuildsthantheircounterpartsandifone
listenedclose,thevoiceswerealittlelessgruff.However,theywereknownforfightingwithasmuch
determination,ifnotmoresometimes,thantheirmates.

Butmaleorfemale,theywereallgrimyandexhausted,andthisdayhadseentwooftheir

comradeslost.

“Icould’vesavedAlbrech,”Grendasaid,herlipstwistedintoafrownofself-recrimination.“I

could’ve,Rom!”

Theolderdwarftowhomshespokeboremorescarsthananyoftherest.Romwascommander

andtheonewiththemostknowledgeofGrimBatol’slegacy.Afterall,hadhenotalsobeenleader
yearsagowhenthewizardRhonin,thehighelfarcher,Vereesa,andagryphonriderfromtheAeriehad
aidedhisforcesinriddingthefoulplaceoftheorcsandfreeingthegreatDragonqueen?Heleaned
againstthewallofthetunnelthroughwhichheandhisbandhadjustrun,catchinghisbreath.Hehad

beenyoungnotthatlongago.Thepastfourweeksherehadagedhiminamannerunnatural,andhewas
certainthatitwasthesinisterland’sdoing.Herecalledthereportsconcerningthereddragonsandhow
theyhadsufferedevengreaterbeforefinallyhavingthesensetodepartbarelyamonthback.Only
dwarveswerehard-headedenoughtomarchwheretheveryrealmitselfsoughttokillthem.

Andifnottherealm,thenwhateverblackevilthathadnowburroweddeepintothedreadcaverns.
“Therewasnothingthatcouldbedone,Grenda,”hegruntedback.“AlbrechandKathisknewthis

mightbe.”

“Buttoleavethemtofendforthemselvesagainsttheskardyn—”
Romdugunderhisbreastplatetoretrievehislongpipe.Dwarveswentnowherewithouttheir

pipes,althoughsometimestheyhadtosmokesomethingotherthanwhattheygenerallyfavored.Forthe
pasttwoweeks,thebandhadbeenmakingduewithacombinationofgroundbrownmushrooms—the
tunnelswerefullofthose—andaredweedfoundnearastreamthatwastheirbestsourceofwater.It
madeforatolerablesmoke,ifnotmuchelse.

“Theychosetostandandhelptherestofusgetourtaskdone,”hereplied,stuffingthepipe.Ashe

litthecontents,Romadded,“andthatwastobringthisstinkin’creaturebackwithus….”

Grendaandtherestofthepartyfollowedhisgazetotheirprisoner.Theskardynhissedlikea

lizard,thensnappedsharpteethatRom.It—Romwasfairlycertainthethingwasmale,butdidnotwish
togranttheskardyneventhatmuchidentity—stoodslightlyshorterthantheaveragedwarf,butwasa
littlewider.Allofthatextrawidthwasmuscle,forthescalycreaturesdugthroughearthwiththeir
clawedhandsasnoteventhemostpowerfulofRom’speoplecould.

Thefacethatstaredoutfromundertheskardyn’sraggedbrownhoodwasamacabremixof

dwarvenandreptilianfeatures,theformernotatallasurprisetoitscaptors—forskardynwere
descendedfromthesameraceasRomandhiscomrades.TheirancestorshadbeenDarkIrondwarves,
accursedsurvivorsoftheWarofThreeHammershundredsofyearsearlier.MostofthetraitorousDark
Ironshadperishedinthatepicconfrontationbetweendwarfanddwarf,buttherehadalwaysbeen
rumorsthatsomehadescapedintoGrimBatolaftertheirleader—thesorceress,Modgud—hadcursed
GrimBatoljustbeforebeingslain.Asnoonehaddesiredatthattimetohuntanypossibleremaining
foesinaplaceblackenedbymagic,therumorshadremainedjustthat…untilRomhadhadthe
misfortunetodiscoverthetruthinthemshortlyafterarriving.

ButwhateverlinkstherehadbeenbetweenRom’speopleandtheskardyn’shadlongagobecome

sointangibleastobenonexistent.Theskardynretainedthegeneralshapeandsometracesoffacial
similarity,butevenwheretheyhadoncesportedbeards,coarsescalesnowcoveredeverything.Their
teethwere,indeed,morelikethoseofalizardorevenadragonandtheirmisshapenhands—paws,tobe
precise—alsoresembledthoseofthetwobeasts.Thethingthatthedwarveshadcapturedwasalsojust
aslikelytorunonallfoursasitwasontwolegs.

Thatdidnotmeanthattheskardynweremerelyanimals.Theywerecunningandwell-versedin

weaponry,beitthedaggerstheycarriedontheirbelts,theaxes—unchangedsincetheWarofThree
Hammers—orthemetal,palm-sizedballswickedlyspikedthattheyeithertossedbyhandorthrew
usingslings.Still,ifdisarmed,theywerealsomorethanwillingtoutilizetheirteethandclaws,ashad
beendisastrouslyproventhefirsttimethedwarveshadencounteredthem.

Thattime,theverificationthatthesewerethedescendantsoftheDarkIronshadbeenprovenby

thegarments,whichstillretainedthemarkingsofthetreacherousclan.Unfortunately,ithadproven
highlydifficultforRom’sforcetocaptureanyofthecreaturesalive,sofiercedidtheskardynfight.
Threetimesbeforethishadheorganizedmissionstotakeaprisoner,andthreetimeshadthedwarves
utterlyfailed.

AndthreetimeshadothersunderRom’scommandperished.
Thatlastdamnedstreakstillheldwiththelossoftwofinewarriorsthisnight.However,atlastthe

missionhadsomethingtoshowforitsefforts…orsohehoped.Now,atlast,Rombelievedthathehada
sourcebywhichhecouldatlastdiscoverwhatcouldbesomalevolentandpowerfulthatevendragons
fledinfearofit.Whatdarknesscommandedtheskardynwithsuchabsolutemasterythatthe
abominationswoulddieforit?

Andwhatnowhowleditsanguishasunsettlinglightsandenergiesradiatedfromthedesolate

peak?

TheskardynspatasRomleanedclose.Itsbreathwasawful,whichsaidmuchconsideringthe

stenchestowhichdwarveswereused.Romdiscoveredanotherchangethatfurtherpushedskardynand
dwarvesapart;theprisonerhadadouble-forkedtongue.

Noneofthesealterationswerenatural,butrathertheresultoflivinginaplacesosaturatedwith

evilmagic.Thedwarvenleaderpeeredgrimly,matchingthebloodyredgazewithhisownsternone.

“Youfilthcanstillspeakthelanguage,”Romrumbled.“Heardyouuseitbefore.”
Theprisonerhissed…thentriedtolunge.Thetwoheftyguardsholdingitsarmshadbeenchosen

byRomfortheirstrength,buttheywerestillhard-pressedtokeeptheskardyninplace.

Romtookadeeppuffofhispipe,thenexhaleddeeplyinthecreature’sface.Theskardynsniffed

longingly;onetraitthatapparentlyhadnotchangedwastheloveofthepipe.Whenfirstthedwarves
hadcheckedthebodiesofdeadones,theyhadfoundcurledpipescarvednotfromwood,butcrafted
fromclay.Whatexactlytheskardynusedtofillthosepipeswasanotherquestion,fortheonlysubstance
anyonehaddiscoveredontheskardynhadsmelledlikeoldgrassandmulchedearthworms.Noteven
thehardiestofRom’sfollowershadbeenwillingtotryit.

“You’dlikeasmoke,wouldyou?”Romtookanotherpuff,thenagainblewitinthecreature’sface.

“Well,justtalkwithmealittle,andwe’llseewhatwecando…”

“Uzuraugh!”snappedtheprisoner.“Hizakh!”
Romtsked.“Nowthatkindo’talkwillonlygetyouturnedovertoGrendaandhertwobrothers.

Albrech,hewasGwyarbrawdentothem?Youknowthatoldword?Gwyarbrawden?”

Theskardynstilled.Dwarvescountedtheirbloodconnectionsinmanyways.Therewastheclan,

ofcourse,themostprominentofties.Yet,withinandwithouttheclantherewereotherbindings,and
theritualofGwyarbrawdenwasforemostamongthecommonwarriors.Thosewhoswore
GwyarbrawdentooneanothermarkedthemselvesaswillingtocrossallofAzerothtofindtheir
comrade’sslayer,shouldthathappen.Theywerealsonotaversetomakingthedeathofthatslayerlong
andharsh,forGwyarbrawdenwasajusticealluntoitself.Clanleadersdidnotpubliclyacclaimits
existence,butneitherdidtheycondemnit.

Itwasapartofdwarvensocietythatveryfewoutsidersknewabout.
Butskardynwerenotoutsiders,evidently,forthewild,crimsonorbsflashedtowardagrinning

Grenda,thenbacktoRomoncemore.LegendsconcerningGwyarbrawdenquestsoftenfinishedwith
extravagantdescriptionsoftheprey’slengthydeath.ItdidnotsurpriseRomtoknowthatsuchgrisly
storieswouldstillcirculateamongthiscreature’skind.

“Lastchance,”hesaid,takinganotherpuff.“Goingtotalksowecanunderstandyou?”
Theskardynnodded.
Romhidhisanticipation.HehadnotbeenentirelybluffingaboutGrendaandherbrothers,but

givinguptheprisonertothemmighthavemeantfindingoutnothing.True,Grendawouldhavedone
herbesttowringsomewordoutoftheuglything,buthecouldnotdiscountoneofthethreeperhaps
tooeagerlypursuingGwyarbrawdenandkillingtheskardynbeforethathappened.

WithafinalglanceatGrendatoremindthecaptiveofwhatawaiteditifitdidnotanswer,Rom

said,“Theveiledone!Yourcomradesbroughthersomething,andnowGrimBatolechoeswitharoar
likethatofadragon…onlynodragon’sbeenseenhereinmonths!What’ssheuptointhere?”

“Chrysalun…”Thesinglewordescapedtheskardynwithahoarsenessthatmadeitsoundasif

speakingwasarareandterribleeffortforit.“Chrysalun…”

“Whatbythebeardofmyfatherisachrys—chrysalun?”
“Bigger…”theprisonerrasped,itstonguedartinginandout.“Biggerinside…notout…”
“Whatpileoftailingsisthatbeastspouting?Hemocksusall!”oneofGrenda’sbrotherssnarled.

Althoughnottwins,hersiblingslookedevenmorelikeoneanotherthanmostdwarvesdid,andRom
alwayshadtroubletellingwhichwasGragdinandwhichwasGriggarth.

Whicheverhewas,hefollowedhisdeclarationbychargingforward,axraisedasbestthetunnel

allowed.Theskardynhissedandstruggledanew.

ItwasGrendawhoblockedherimpetuousbrother.“No,Griggarth!Notyet!Puttheaxdown

now!”

Griggarthshrankunderhissister’sadmonition.Shewasthemistressandtheywerehertwo

hounds.Gragdin,whohadnoreasonto,imitatedhisbrother’sreaction.

Grendaturnedbacktotheskardyn.“Butifthisfilthdoesn’tmakemoresensewiththenextword

heutters…”

Romseizedcontrolagain.Finishingthelastbitsinhispipe,hetappedtheashesout,then

muttered,“Aye.Onelasttime.Maybeadifferentquestion’llstiryouright.”Heconsidered,thensaid,
“Maybesomethingaboutthetalloneandwhathisilkwouldbedoin’hereofallplaces.”

Hissuggestionhadadisquietingreactionontheskardyn.Atfirst,Romthoughtthatitwaschoking

onsomething,butthenherealizedthatthedamnedbeastwaslaughing.

Drawinghisdagger,Romthrustthepointundertheskardyn’sbrown,scalychin.Despitethat,the

prisonerdidnotletup.

“Bestill,youblastedsonofatoadorI’llsavethemthetroubleofflayingyouand—”
Theceilingcavedin.Dwarvesscatteredastonsofrockandstonetumbleddown.
Andwithitcamethreemassivefiguresnotonlyarmoredinbrassbreastplatesandguards,but

scaledevenmorethantheskardyn.Worse,theseimposinggiants—nearlyninefeettallbyRom’sexpert
reckoning—werefarmoredeadlyandfarmoreunexpectedthanthedescendantsoftheDarkIronshad
been.

“Whatare—”criedonedwarfbeforeahuge,arcedbladecutthroughhismidsection,breastplate

andall.

Romknewwhattheywere,ifonlybydescription,butitwasGrendawhocriedouttheirfoul

name.“Drakonid!”

Shelungedtowardthefirst,heraxalreadyout.Lookingasifsomeonehadmeldedadragonanda

humanintooneviciouswarrior,theblack-scaleddrakonidshemovedagainstswungatthedwarfwith
thealready-bloodiedweapon.Asitstruckherax,thebladeflared,cuttingthroughgooddwarven
workmanshipasifthroughwater.

OnlyRom’sswiftactionsavedher.Havinglaunchedhimselftowardthemonstrousfigureatthe

sametimethatGrendahad,hewasthereintimetoshoveheraside.Unfortunately,theconfinesofthe
ruinedtunneldidnotgivehimenoughroomtoavoidbeingstruckbytheblademeantforher.

Thedwarfscreamedasitburnedthroughhiswrist.Hewatchedwithamazementashishandfellto

theground,whereitwastrampledunderthedrakonid’smassive,three-toedfoot.

Iftherewasanythingfortunatetocomefromtheterriblewound,itwasthatthemagicoftheblade

alsocauterizedthecut.That,combinedwithdwarvenendurance,enabledRomtothrowhisstrength
intoaone-handedswing.

Theaxcutintothearmoredhideneartheshoulder.Thedrakonidletoutagrowlofpainand

backedup.

LaughterrunginRom’sears,laughterthatlessandlesssoundedliketheskardyn’sandmorelike

somethingfarmoresinister.Heglancedoverhisshouldertowheretheprisonershouldhavestillbeen

held.

Buttheguardslaydead,theireyesstaringblindlyandtheirthroatscut.Theiraxesremained

harnessedontheirbacks,andtheirdaggerswerestillsheathedintheirbelts.Theylookedasiftheyhad
simplystoodandwaitedtodie.

Orhadbeenbespelled…forwhatstoodwheretheskardynhadbeenwasnomagic-degenerated

dwarf.Instead,thefigurestoodastallasahuman,butwasslimmerofbuild.Hislong,pointedears
wereclueenoughtohisidentity,buthiscrimsonrobesandfiercely-glowinggreeneyes—thesignof
demontaint—verifiedtoRom’sdismayjusthowbigafoolthecommanderhadbeen.

Itwastheverybloodelfaboutwhomhehadbeenasking.
Rom’shuntforaprisonerwhocouldgivehiminformationhadbeenturnedintoatrapforthe

dwarves.Hispulseracedasheimaginedhisfollowersslaughteredor,likelyworse,capturedand
draggedbackintoGrimBatol.

Withawarcrythatresoundedintheruinedtunnel,hechargedthebloodelf.Thetallfigureeyed

thepowerfuldwarfwithdisdain,thenheldoutonehand.

Init,atwistedwoodenstaffmaterialized,theheadendinginaforkinwhichahuge,skull-shaped

emeraldmatchingthebloodelf’sevilorbsflared.

Romwentflyingback,thedwarfcollidingwiththewallbehindhim.
Ashedroppedtotheground,Romutteredanepithetthatwouldhaveburnedtheearsofany

human,muchlessoneoftheelvenraces.Throughhisblurredvision,hesawdwarvesdesperatelytrying
tomakeastandagainstthepowerfuldrakonid.Itwasnotthatthedragonmenwereunstoppable,buthis
peopleseemedtobemovingsluggishly.Gorum,afighterwhoseswiftnesswassecondonlytoRom’s,
heftedhisaxasifitweighedasmuchashe.

Thebloodelf…it…ithastobethe…bloodelf…Romstruggledtorise,buthisbodywouldnot

obey.

Worsetohimthanevenhisowncertaindemisewashisfailuretohisking.Hehadswornanoathto

MagnithathewoulddiscoverthesecretofwhatwasnowgoingoninGrimBatol,butallRomhad
accomplishedwasthishorrificdebacle.

Thatshamemanagedtogethimtohisknees,butfromtherehecouldrisenofarther.Thebloodelf

turnedhisattentionfromRom,yetanotherinsulttothedwarf’shonor.

Rommanagedtoseizehisax.Hestruggledagainstboththespellandhisownpain—
Ahorrificroarthatshookthewallsroseabovethetunnels,causingeveryonetolookup.
Theeffectonthebloodelfwasgreatest.HecursedinsometongueRomdidnotunderstand,then

shoutedtothedrakonid,“Up!Quickly!Beforeitgetstoofar!”

Thedragonwarriorscrouched,thenleapedupandoutofthetunnelswithastoundingagilityfor

theirimmensesize.Theirleadertappedthebottomofthestafftwiceontheground—andvanishedina
briefburstofgoldenflames.

Romabruptlyfounditpossibletomove,ifsomewhatwearily.Slowly,theconditionsofhis

comradesregistered.Therewereatleastthreedeadandseveralotherswounded.Hedoubtedthatthe
drakonidhadsufferedmuchmorethanoneortwocutseach,noneofthemthreatening.Ifnotforthe
mysteriousroar,thedwarveswouldhavebeenlost.

Grendaandoneofherbrotherscametohisaid.Sweatdrenchedthefemalewarrior.“Canyou

walk?”

“Hmmph!Icanrun…ifI’vegotto,girl!”
Itwasbecauseofnosenseofcowardicethathesuggestedrunning.Therewasnotellingifthe

bloodelfandthedrakonidwouldreturnasquicklyastheyhadleft.Thedwarveswereindisarrayand
neededtoretreattoalocationwheretheycouldrecover.

“To…totheslopetunnels,”Romcommanded.ThosetunnelsweremuchfartherfromGrimBatol,

buthefeltthemthebestchoice.Thegroundoftheregiontherewasfullofrichveinsofwhitecrystal—
highlysensitivetomagicalenergies—whichwouldmakeitdifficultforevenamagelikethebloodelf
toscryforthem.Inasense,thescoutswouldbecomeinvisible.

Butnotinvincible.Nowherewasitcompletelysafe.
WithGrenda’sassistance,Romledthedwarvesoff.Glancingoverhisbatteredfollowers,hesaw

againhowmuchtheverybriefstrugglehadcostthem.Ifnotfortheroar—

Theroar.Asgratefulashewasforthatinterruption,Romwonderedatitsorigins,wonderedabout

that…andwhetherornotwhathadbeenthedwarves’salvationwastheharbingerofsomethingfar,far
worse.

TWO

orialstraszsoaredoverLordaeron,forcinghimselfasbesthecouldtopaynomindtotheturmoil

below.HewasdeterminedtoreachtheopposingsideoftheBaradinBaywithouteventheslightest
delay.Itwasoftheutmostimportancehedothat.Thedragondarednotallowhimselftobecome
embroiledinanypartofthecontinuousstruggleagainsttheScourge.Thathadtobeleftinthehandsof
otherdefenders.Hecouldnotbecomeinvolved…

Andyet…morethanoncetheimmensereddragonfailedinhisresolve.Korialstraszcouldnotlet

theinnocentsuffernorallowflagrantstrikesbytheundeadgounpunished.

Nor,whenhesightedittowardtheendofthatshroudedday,couldheletthemassingofhundreds

ofthetwistedanddecayedservantsoftheLichKingremainuntouched.

Itwasjustashefirstsmelledthedistantbaythathesawthemacabrearmypreparingtomarch…an

armybuiltfromthescavengedbodypartsandcorpsesofmorethanathousandgoodsouls.Therusted
anddentedarmorofpaladinshunguponfleshlessframesandemptyeyesocketsstaredoutfromunder
helmets.Bythebuildsofsomeoftheundead,thedragonsawthattheScourgewasnotprejudiced
againstonesexovertheother,norofyoungoverold;allwhofellwerepotentialsoldiersforitsevil
master.

Andneitherdidthefactthatsomeofthesehadoncebeenwomenandchildrenhaveanymore

meaningfortheenrageddragon,whodovedownamongtheghouls,unleashinghisfullandterrible
fury.Ariverofflamecoursedacrossthecenteroftheunholyranks,decimatingscoresinasingle
moment.Drybonesmademarvelouskindlingforareddragon’sfire,andtheinfernoquicklyspreadas
someundeadtumbledintoothers.

KorialstraszattackedwellawareofwhatdestinationthisarmyoftheScourgehadinmind,none

otherthantheshieldcoveringDalaranoverwhichhehadnotthatlongagoflown.Thewizardswerea
foethatArthas,theLichKing,couldnotletrecoup.Thedragonhadexpectedsuchanassaultbefore
long,thoughtheScourgehadmovedswifterthanevenhehadcalculated.

Andso,theythusenabledthereddragontodohisformercomradesintheKirinToronedaring

favorbeforeflyingfromLordaeron.

Skull-facedwarriorsfireduponhimwithbowsofmanymakes,buttheirshaftsfellfarshort.They

werenotusedtoaerialattacksofsuchmonumentalnature.Korialstraszbankedtothenorth,thenstruck
thelinesthere,firstdivingdownandrakingthegroundofwarriors,thensendinganotherburstinto
thosestillstanding.

Hefinallysensedmagicstirringfromthebacklinesandrespondedaccordingly.Lesserdragons

mighthavefallenpreytotheLichKing’sspellcasters,butKorialstraszwasfarmoreexperienced.He
immediatelynotedthelocationofhisnewfoesandfocusedhisownconsiderablemagiconthespot.

Thegroundthereerupted,ahugeforestofgrasstendrilsathousandtimestheirnormalsizeand

thicknessburstingallaroundthecasters,lesserlicheswhohadonceprobablybeenhonoredwizards
untilseducedbythedarkpoweroftheScourge’slord.Thehugetendrilsencircledtheirprey,crushing
andrippingaparttheundeadbeforethelattercouldfinishtheirowntreacherousspells.

Thusdoeslifevanquishunlife,Korialstraszgrimlythought.AstheconsortoftheAspectofLife

and,thus,aservantofthatcause,itdisgustedhimtousehisabilitiesso.TheScourge,though,gavehim
nochoice.Theyweretheantithesisofwhathismistressrepresentedandathreattoallthatexistedin
Azeroth.

Asavagepaininhischestsuddenlysentthebehemothspiraling.Korialstraszletoutafuriousroar

andcursedhimselfforbecomingdistractedjustlikeayoungdragon,afterall.Henearlycrashedamong
theScourge,managingtopulluponlyatthelastmoment.Forcinghimselfhighintothegrayclouds,the
behemotheyedhischest.

Ablackboltaslongasoneofhisclawslayembeddedbetweenthescales.Theheadwasnotmade

ofsteel,butrathersomedarkcrystalthatpulsated.IthadstruckKorialstraszjustperfectly,diggingdeep
intothesoveryslimgap.Suchastrikewascertainlynothappenstance.

Newpainwrackedhim.Eventhoughbetterpreparedagainstitthistime,thereddragonbarely

kepthimselffromdescending.

Pushinghimselftohislimits,Korialstraszflewhigheryet.WhatremainedoftheScourgebelow

nowseemedlikearushofants.Satisfiedthathewasforthemomentsafefromfurthermagicalassault,
theleviathanfocusedhisownpowersonthesinistershaft.

AcrimsonaurasurroundedKorialstrasz.Thedragonfedhismightintoit,fixingontheareawhere

thesorcerousarrow’sheadlay.

Theblackboltexploded.
Yet,Korialstrasz’ssenseoftriumphwasshort-lived,forasharptwingeimmediatelythereafter

tookhim.Itwasnotnearlysobadastheagonyhehadfeltearlier,butharshenough.Heexploredthe
areaofthewound,seekingthecause.

Threesmallfragmentsofcrystalremained.Thesorceryusedtocreatethearrowforuseagainst

suchashim—therecouldbenootherexplanationfortheweapon’sexistence—wassopotentthateven
thesefewpiecescausedhimgreatpain.

TheLichKing’sminionsweregrowingmoreandmorecunning.
Withanotherspell,Korialstraszexpelledthefragmentsfromhisbody.Theefforttookthewind

fromhimforamoment,butfuryatwhathadhappenedtohimquicklyrenewedhisstrength.

Roaring,thereddragononceagaindroppedlikeamissiletowardtherearlines.Whoeverhadcast

theblackcrystalwasamongthosedownthere.

Thistime,Korialstraszsettheentireareaawashindragonfire.Therewasnopossiblechanceof

anythingthereescapinghiswrath.TheScourgewouldlearnthatdragonswerenottobetrifledwith.

Undeadwrappedinflamesstumbledinalldirectionsbeforecollapsing.Inthecenterofhisstrike,

thefireconsumedthefiendsentirely,leavingonlyash.

Korialstraszlookeduponthescenewithsatisfaction.HehaddealttheScourgeabadblowwiththis

assault.ThatwouldbenefitDalaranandtherestofthedefendersimmensely.

Takingadeepbreath,Korialstraszsoaredonwithouthesitationtowardthebay…anddistant,

beckoningGrimBatol.

OntheeasterncoastofcentralKalimdor,atall,cloakedfiguresilentlystrodeintotheunsavory

townofRatchet,asettlementbegunlongagobysmugglersandnowpopulatedmainlybynotonlytheir
foulilk,butalsoallthoseotherswhomvarioussocietieshadcastout.Thehoodandvoluminouscloak

completelyhidboththenewarrival’sfeaturesandgarments.Indeed,itdraggedsolowontheground
thateventhelegsandfeetwereinvisible.Whileinmanyplacesthiswouldhaveimmediatelydrawnthe
attentionofallaround,inRatchetsuchimagesweremorecommon.

That,ofcourse,didnotmeanthatothereyes—goblin,human,andotherwise—werenotwatching,

merelythattheydidsoverysurreptitiously.Therewerethoseintheramshacklecollectionofcrumbling
stonebuildingsanddecayingslathutswhogaugedeachnewcomerfortheirpossiblevalueandothers
whomarkedthemforpossiblethreat.Morethanafewoftheunshaven,unwashedfigureswerehere
becauseothersdesiredtheirdemise,andsotheywerewillingtokillanysupposedassassinfirst.That
theymightslayaninnocentwasanotionlongwillinglyacceptedbythem.

ThecoveredformshuffledthroughRatchet,thehoodpeeringthiswayandthatinthedeepening

gloomandatlastfocusingonaweatheredsignhangingoverthefrontofwhathadoncebeen,inanother
time,afairlyreputableinn.Thefadedlettersstillmanagedtospellouttheestablishment’sunpromising
name…TheBrokenKeel.

Withfluidmovements,thestrangerveeredtowardtheinn.Alanky,scarredmaninleatherboots

andbillowingseagarbleanedagainstthewallbythecrackeddoor.Hepeeredupattheoncoming
figure,thensilentlymovedoff.Thehoodshiftedslightly,watchinghisdeparture,thenturnedagainto
theinn.

Althoughtheflowingsleevestretchedtothehandle,thoseclosebymighthavenoticedthatthey

neverquitetouched.Yet,thedoorswungwideopen.

Inside,thegoblinproprietorandthreepatronsstaredattheintruder,who,atnearlysevenfeettall,

stoodahandhigherthanthebiggestofthem.Themen’sgarbandthecutlassesattheirsidesmarked
themfromthestoriesthenewcomerhadheard.BloodsailBuccaneers.Yet,thefigurepaidnomindto
theirinterest;onlyonethingmattered.

“Thisoneseekstransportationacrossthesea,”thehoodedformdeclared.Forthefirsttime,the

fourregisteredsomeastonishment;thevoicesoundedneithermalenorfemale.

Theproprietorrecoveredfirst.Theshort,green,andsomewhatpotbelliedgoblingrinnedwide,

revealinghisyellowteeth.Hestrodebackbehindthebar,where,despitehisgirth,heeasilyleaptupon
anunseenbenchorstoolsoastobeabletoseeover.Hisreactionwasoneofmockery.

“Yawantaboat?Nottoomanyinhere!Foodandale,maybe,butwe’refreshoutaboats,heh!”As

hespoke,hisstomachswelled,strainingfartheroutofthestainedgreenandgoldjerkinandalmost
completelyoverthewide,metal-claspedbeltholdinghisweatheredgreenpantsup.“Ain’tthatright,
boys?”

Therewereacoupleof“ayes”andaslownod,thelastfromoneparticularlykeen-eyeddrinker

amongthetrio.Notoneofthebandhadyettakenhisgazeofftheshroudednewcomer,whoevincedno
concern,nootheremotion.

“Thisoneisastrangerhere,true,”thefigurereplied,againinavoiceunidentifiableasanything.

“Butaplacewherefoodandshelterareofferedisoftenaplacewhereknowledgeoftransportcanalso
befound…”

“Yagotgoldtapayforthis‘transport,’mymuffledfriend?”
Thehoodnodded.Thesleevethathadopenedthedoornowstretchedforwardagain.Itwasnota

handthatpoppedoutofitnow,butratherasmall,graypouchthatjingled.Thepouchswungfromtwo
leatherstringsthatvanishedintothesleeve.

“Thisonecanpay.”
Theinterestinthepouchwasobvious,butthenewcomerdidnotseemmovedbythatinterest.The

proprietorrubbedhispointychinthenrumbled,“Hmmph!OldDizzywig,thewharfmaster,mightbe
crazyenoughtosailyouthere.Leastwise,he’sgotboats.”

“Wheremightthisonefindhim?”

“Attheblastedwharf,ofcourse!OldDizzywiglivesthere.Goleftoutthedoor,thenaroundthe

building.Walkalittlebit.Youcan’tmissthewharfandthedocks.There’salotofwaterbeyond’em,
heh.”

Thehooddippedforward.“Thisonethanksyou.”
“Tell’imWileysentya.”Theproprietorgrunted.“Happysailin’…”
Withagracefulturn,thestrangersteppedout.Asthedoorclosedbehind,thefiguresurveyedthe

vicinity,thenturnedastheinnkeeperhaddictated.Theskywasnowdark,andwhileitwasdoubtfulthat
thewharfmasterhimselfwouldwishtosetsailatnight,thatdidnotmatter.

Figuresscurriedtoandfromvariousbuildingsasthehoodedformpassedby.Thestrangerpaid

themnoheed.Solongastheydidnotinterfere,theymeantnothing.

Thedarkseasuddenlybeckoned.Forthefirsttime,thehoodedfigurehesitated.
Butthereisnootherchoice,thestrangerconcluded.Nochoicebuttodareonenewthingafter

another…

Whilethereweresomelargershipsanchorednearby,nonewerewhatthestrangersought.Asmall

boatthatcouldbehandledbyalonesailorwouldserveallthestranger’sneeds.Threeraggedbut
potentially-usefulcraftsatattheedgeofthewater,thefinefinishofeachathingofthepast.Theylikely
floated,butthatwasit.Totheirright,thefirstofthedocksstretchedoutintotheblackwaters.Several
woodencrateswaitedtobeloadedonsomevesselapparentlynotyetinport.Anoldbuttough-looking
figurethatcouldhavejustaswellhavebeenWiley’sbrother,father,orcousinsatupononebox,his
gnarledhandsworkingwithfishingline.Helookedupasthenewcomerapproached.

“Hmm?”wasallhesaidatfirst.Then…“Closedfornight.Cometomorrow…”
“IfyouareDizzywig,thewharfmaster,thisoneseekstransportacrossthesea.Now,not

tomorrow.”Fromthevoluminoussleeveemergedthecoinsack.

“Yadoes,doesya?”Herubbedhislengthychin.Upclose,theoldergoblinwasthinnerandin

bettershapethanWiley.Healsoworeclothesofabetterquality,includingapurpleshirtandredpants
thatbothcontrastedgreatlytohisgreenhide.Hisboots,widelikeallgoblinbootsduetothesplayed
feetoftheirwearers,werealsoofbettercondition.

“Areyouhe?”askedthestranger.
“’CourseIam,fool!”Thegoblingrinned,showingthat,despitehisage,hehadkeptmostofhis

sharpifyellowteeth.“Butastohirin’aboat,there’resomeshipsthatwoulddoyabetter.Where’syour
destination?”

“ThisonemustcrosstoMenethilHarbor.”
“Goin’tovisitthedwarves,eh?”Notbotheredintheleastbythestranger’soddvoice,Dizzywig

grunted.“Noneoftheshipsaregoin’there,that’sforsure!Hmmph…”Suddenly,thegoblin
straightened.“Andmaybeyouwon’tbegoin’,either….”

Hisslanted,almostreptilianblackandcoraleyeslookedbehindhiswould-beclient,whofollowed

thegaze.

Theirapproachhadbeenexpected.Theploywasanoldone,evenwherethestrangercamefrom.

Brigandswerebrigands,andtheyalwayssoughtthetried-and-truepathsusedbeforethem.

Frombehindhisseat,Dizzywigpulledoutalongpieceofwoodwithahugenailhammered

throughthehead.Thepointstuckoutforatleasthalfafoot.Thewharfmasterwieldedthewoodwithan
easethatbespokeofyearsofpracticeanduse,buthedidnotjumpuptogiveaidtothehoodedfigure.

“Touchmywharf,andI’llpoundyourdamnedheadstopulp,”hewarnedthebuccaneers.
“Gotnoquarrelwithyou,Dizzywig,”oneofthetriomuttered.Hehadbeenthemostinterestedof

thoseobservingthenewcomerintheinn.“Justalittlebusinesswithourfriendhere…”

Thestrangerslowlyturnedsoastocompletelyfacethem,intheprocessslidingbackthehood

enoughforthoseinfronttoseethefacebeneath.Theface,theblue-blackhairdownpasthershoulders,

thetwoproudhornsthatstretchedfromeachsideofherskull…

Eyeswidening,thethreemenfromthetaverntookastepback.Twolookedanxious,butthe

leader,ascarredindividualwieldingaknifewithacurvedbladenearlyafootlong,grinned.

“Wellnow…ain’tyouaprettylittlefemale…whateverraceyouis.We’llbetakingthatpouch

girlie!”

“Thecontentsofthepouchwillnotbringyoumuchcomfort,”shesaid,discardingboththespell

thathadhiddenhertrue,almostmusicalvoiceandthespeechmannerismsshehadusedwithit.“Money
isonlyafleetingvice.”

“Welikealittlevice,don’twe,lads?”theleaderretorted.Hiscompanionsgruntedtheir

agreement,greedhavingovertakenastonishmentoverwhatstoodbeforethem.

“Let’sfinishdisbeforethebruiserscatchwindofit,”oneoftheotherpiratesadded.
“Theywon’tbearoundthiswayforawhileyet,”thefirstsnarled.“But’tistrueIdon’tfancypayin’

thewatchoffwithwhatweget,eh?”

Theyconvergedontheirintendedvictim.
Shewouldgivethemonemorechance.“Youdon’twishtodothis.Lifeisvaluable,violenceis

not.Letushavepeacebetweenus….”

Oneofthelesserbuccaneers,abalding,skeletonofaman,hesitated.“Maybeshe’sright,Dargo.

Whydon’twejustleaveherbe—”

Heimmediatelyreceivedasharp,back-handedstrikeacrossthejawfromtheleader.Dargoglared

athim.“What’sgottenintoyou,yousonofaseacow?”

Theotherbrigandblinked.“Dunno…”Hestaredinshockatthetallfemale.“Shedone

somethin’!”

Grittinghisteeth,Dargoturnedonher.“Damnedmage!That’sthelasto’yourtricks!”
“Thatisnotmycalling,”sheexplained,butneitherDargonorhisfriendswerelistening.The

buccaneersranather,tryingwithswiftnesstoavoidanymorespells.Commonsensewouldhave
dictatedthattheyfleefromanycaster,butcommonsensewasclearlyinshortsupplyamongthese
brigands.

Ahand—alightbluehandcoveredinpartbyanarrayofcopper-coloredmetalstrands—thrustout

oftheleftsleeve.Shemutteredaprayerforherfoesinhergloriousnativetongue,toolongunheardby
herfromanyother’slips.

Theleaderwasagainpredictable.Hethrustthebladeatherchest.
Sheeasilydodgedasidehisclumsystrikewithoutevenmovingfromherposition.Ashefell

forward,shetouchedhimonthearmandusedhismomentumtosendhimflyingpastherandontothe
hardwoodofthenearestdock.

Ashehit,histhincompaniondrewhiscutlassandmadeaslashatheroutstretchedarm.The

strangergracefullypulledherlimbfromdanger,thenkickedathismidsectionwithwhatwasnotafoot,
butratheralargeandverytoughclovenhoof.

Asifstruckbyabarrelingtauren,thesecondpiratewenttumblingbacklikeamissileintothethird

brigand,astouterpiratewithabentnose.Thepaircollidedhard,thencollapsedinajumbleofarmsand
legs.

Shespunabout,theshiftingofthetwotendrilscomingfrombehindherearsandliningherslim

butbeautifulfeaturestheonlyoutwardsignofheremotions.HerhandcaughtDargo’swristashecame
atherfromthedockandturnedhisforcebackagainsthisarm.

Thebuccaneerletoutahowlashisshouldercracked.Withhispathalreadyleadingtotheground,

itwasasimplematterforhertoletthevillainfallfacefirstatherfeet.

Atopthecrate,Dizzywigchortled.“Hah!Draeneiwomenmakeforsometoughcustomers,don’t

they?Toughandpretty,thatis!”

Glancingatthegoblin,shesensednomalevolentintentinhiscomments.Withhisoccupation,it

wasnotentirelysurprisingthatDizzywighadapparentlyseenorheardofherraceatsomepointinthe
past.Atthemoment,hesoundedhonestlycuriousabouther—curiousandamused—butnothingmore.

Thewharfmasterhadmaintainedaneutralstanceduringtheconfrontation,anunderstandable

choice,ifnotherpreferredone.Thedraeneihadwantedtokeepheractivitiessecret.Shewasnotwhere
herkindshouldbe.

Butheroathandherquestdemandedotherwise.
LeaningdowntoDargo,shewhispered,“Theboneisnotbroken.”
Theanguishedbrigandseemednottoappreciatethatgesture.Intruth,shehaddoneasmuchasshe

couldtoavoidinjuringanyofthem,regardlessoftheirwickedways.Unfortunately,thesethreehad
demandedofherabriefexhibition.

Butnowthetriowasmoremalleabletoheradvice…andabilities.Inalevelvoice,thedraenei

declared,“Itwouldbebestifyoualldepartedandforgotthisincident.”

Theabilitiesgrantedhercallingaddedweighttoherwords.Dargoandhiscompanionsscrambled

totheirfeetandscurriedoffasifhoundswiththeirtailsonfire,leavingtheirweaponsbehind.

SheturnedbacktoDizzywig.Thegoblinsimplynodded.“Can’tmakeoutmuchunderthatrobe,

butyou’vegotthesmellofapriestaboutyou….”

“Iamofthatcalling.”
Dizzywiggrinned.“Priest,mage,monster,man,don’tmattertomenonejustsoIgetpaid.Thered

boatthere,”heindicatedwithacrookedfinger.“That’sagoodcraft,ifyou’vegotthemoney.”

“Ihave.”Thepouchmaterializedfromthedepthsofhersleeve.“IfIcantrustthattheboatwill

sail.”

“Yeah,itwill…butnotwithmeinit.Youwantacrew,youshould’veheldontothatsorrytrio,

heh!”

Sheshrugged.“Ionlyneedaserviceablecraft.I’llmakeitonmyown,ifthatiswhatisdestined

forme.”

Thedraeneitossedhimthepouch,whichDizzywigimmediatelyopened.Thegoblinpouredout

thecoins,hiseyeswidewithpleasure.

“That’lldo…just,”hesaidwithalargergrin.
Withoutanotherword,thepriestessstrodetowardtheboatindicated.Itssidesweremoregreen

thanredduetolayersofalgae,andthewoodwaswellworn,butshesawnoweaknessinthethickhull.
Astrong,singlemastwithamainsail-foresailcombinationgavethefifty-foot-longsloopitsonlysource
ofmovement.Climbingin,shealsofoundtwosorryemergencyoarsrestinginthehooksontheinside
wallsofthehull.

Dizzywignodoubtexpectedhertoaskforsupplies,butshewasgrowinguncharacteristically

impatientanddidnotwanttospendtimebarteringforwhatshedidnotbelievethatsheneeded.Bad
enoughthatshehadspentfutileweeksfollowingafalsetrail.Secretedonherpersonwasenough
sustenanceforthejourneyacross.

Thewharfmasterchuckledagain,andalthoughshenolongerfacedhim,thedraeneiknewthathe

wonderedwhatshewoulddonext.ForDizzywig,thestrangerwasagoodnight’sentertainment,indeed.

Wonderingwhetherhewouldbedisappointedwithwhatshenowintended,thepriestessextended

herhand…andbeganworkingthelinesandthesailfordeparturewiththepracticedskillofonefamiliar
withthesea,albeitnoseaasthegoblinwouldhaveknown.

Whenshewasdonewiththat,thedraeneileaptout.Judgingthemassofthecraft,shegrippedone

partofitandshoved.

Dizzywigletoutahmmphofsurprise.Itshouldhavetakentwoorthreebrawnymentobreakthe

boatcompletelyfree.Fortunately,thepriestesshadnotreliedonbrutestrength,butacareful

measurementofbalance.

Theboatsilentlyslidtherestofthewayintothewater.Thedraeneileaptaboard,thankingthose

whohadtrainedher.

“Thesea’snosaferthantheland,thesedays.Justrememberthat!”thegoblincalledjovially.Then,

withanotherchuckle,headded,“Enjoyyourtrip!”

Shedidnotneedthewharfmastertowarnherofthedangers.Overthepastweeks,thepriestess

hadconfrontedmorethanhershareofthedarknessseekingtoengulfthisworld.Morethanonce,she
hadnearlybeenkilledduringherpursuit,but,bythegraceofthenaaru,shehadsurvivedtocontinue
thechase.

ButasRatchet,asallKalimdor,rapidlydwindledinthedarkandtheseaenvelopedhercraft,the

draeneifeltthatshehadonlytastedtheleastofdangersthusfar.Nowthatthepriestessknewthatshe
followedthetruetrail,shewasalsoawarethatatsomepoint,thoseshehuntedwouldnoteher
approach.

Noteitanddowhattheycouldtoslayher.
Soitmustbe…thedraeneithought.Afterall,shehadtakenupthisquestofherownvolition,her

owndesire.

Takenitupeventhoughallwhoknewhernowthoughtherutterlymad…

THREE

hey’regone!”thebloodelfsnappedvehemently.“They’regone!”

Thewomaninblackstaredathimfrombehindherveil.Althoughhewastallerthanherbyaninch

ortwo,itwashewhoseemedtohavetolookupather,nottheotherwayaround.

Itwasalsohewhosuddenlystifledhisangerunderherdreadgaze.
“Anobviousobservation,Zendarin,asisthefactthatweneednotconcernourselveswiththem.

Thedearoneshavetheirfatesalreadydestined;youknowthatverywell.”

“Buttherewasmuchtolearn,muchtoexplorewiththeirmaking!Muchmagicofasortnonehas

everwitnessed!”

TheavariceinhisgleamingorbswhenZendarinspokeofmagicmadehiscompanionsmilein

disdain.“Atrifle,bloodelf.”Shegentlystrokedtheveilcoveringherscorchedside.“AtrifletowhatI
willultimatelyachieve.”

Hebowedtoherwisdomandherdarkglory,butadded,“Whatwe’llultimatelyachieve,mylady.”
“Yes…whatwewillachieve,myambitiousmage.”Theladyinblackturnedawaywithoutanother

word.ThetwostoodatthemouthofoneoftheuppercavepassagesriddlingGrimBatol.Despiteits
locationwellabovethebaseofthemountain,thisentrancewasmoreaccessibletotheinteriorthanmost
below—providedonewaswelcomewithin.Thosewhowerenotwouldfindthepathwroughtwith
hiddenpitfalls,includingsentinelsmaskedbyZendarin’smagic.

Andwoebetideanyofthoseintrudersshouldtheybespellcastersthemselves….
ThebloodelftookonelastglanceoverthelandscapesurroundingGrimBatol.Beyondthe

immediatedesolationsurroundingthemountain’sbase,theWetlandshadreturnedinforcesincethe
yearsofthereddragons’captivitytotheorcs.Thelushlandsweremisleading,though,fortheyheld
manynaturalandunnaturalthreatsthatactedasagoodbufferagainsttoomanyintruders.Six-legged
crocoliskshuntedinthewaters,andtribesofgnolls—allfearfulofZendarinandthelady—alsokept
watchforfoolsventuringtooclose.Amongthemorehorrificguardianswerethemonstrousoozes,
gelatinousfiendsthatabsorbedanyanimalinreachand,inthedrierlandstothenorthwest,saurian
raptorsthatstalkedanyandallfreshmeat.

Sofulloflife,sofullofdeath,thoughtZendarin.Itwasafarcryfromthegloriouswoodedrealmto

whichhewasused,arealmtowhichhelookedforwardtoreturningoncehehadgainedallthathe
sought.

Smotheringacurseatthetrialshehadtosufferforhisarts,Zendarinfollowedtheveiledwoman.

Heandthedrakonidhadspentthelastnightpursuingprizesheconsideredsovaluablethathehadlet
theremainingdwarvesscurrybackintotheirsecretburrowslikethefrightenedrabbitsthattheywere.
That,afterswearingtohismistressthathewoulderadicatethepestsonceandforall.Thedwarveshad
becomeagrandnuisanceoflateandwhilebothheandsheagreedthattheycouldnotpossiblythreaten

theultimatesuccessofthepair’sexperiments,theycouldslowit.Thatwaswhyhehaddevisedthis
plan,thisperfectplan.

ButZendarincouldnothavepossiblyknownthattwoofthoseexperimentswouldchoosethatvery

momenttoescapeGrimBatol.

“Howdidithappen?Howdidithappen?”heasked,barelyabletokeephistonguecivildespite

beingawareofjustwhatshecoulddotohimifmerelyriled.Shehadalreadyslaintwoableassistants
forminorinfractions,andwhilesheverymuchneededhisskills,heknewthathehadtotreadwarily.
Zendarin’scompanionwasverymuchinsane…butthatdidnotprecludeheralsobeingbrilliant.

“Thedragonspawnwatchingthemwerecareless.Theyweretoldthatthetwomightbeimmuneto

someofthebindingspellsandthatattheslightesthintofthat,theguardsshouldalertme.Thefools
apparentlywerenotsatisfiedthatthedangeryetwarrantedthatalert.”

Thebloodelfcursedtheguards.Dragonspawnwerebrutishly-efficientincausingcarnageand

generallyexcellentatobeyingorders.True,theywerenotasskilledandcunningasdrakonid,butthat
shouldhavenotmatteredinthissituation.Thedragonspawnhadhandledfarmoredifficulttasksthan
keepingsentry.Hecouldnotbelievetheirgreaterror.“I’lltearouttheirblackheartsforthis….”

“Youneednotbother.Therewasn’tmuchleftofthemaftertheescape.Thechildrensawtothat.”

Shetsked,againstrokingtheveilasshewalkedserenelythroughthecavernslikeaqueeninhercastle.
“Besides,thiswillallmakeforaninterestingtest.”

“‘Test’?Mylady,they’llwreakhavocthat’llbringsomeoneofpowerinvestigating.Someonefrom

Dalaranperhapsor—orworse!”Zendarincouldimaginequitewelljustwhat“worse”mightentail.
TherewerepowersexistingonAzeroththatweregreaterthanallthewizardsleftinDalaranoreven
amonghisownpeoplecombined.

Hisdeclarationonlymadehersmileagain,albeitthistimeincoldanticipation.“Yes…someone

willverylikelyinvestigate…someoneverylikelywill…”

Beforehecouldquestionhercomment,thepairenteredtheupperlevelofthevastcaverninwhich

theirgargantuanprisonerandthefocusoftheirworkstillstruggledagainsthismagicalbonds.The
skardynfeverishlytoiledaroundtheshimmeringleviathan,evercheckingboththestrandskeepingthe
netherdragoninplaceandadjustingthenewwhitecrystalsthattheirmistresshadjustsetinplacefor
thenextattempt.

“Filthycreatures,”murmuredZendarin.Abloodelfwasstillanelfwhenitcametoaesthetics.His

longnosewrinkledasoneofthehoodedcreaturesrusheduptothemistressandhandedherasmall
cubelacedwithceruleanstripesalongeachface.

“Obedientcreatures,”shecorrected,dismissingtheskardyn.Asthedwarvenformscurriedbackto

itscomrades,sheheldthecubetowardZendarin.“Yousee?JustasIrequiredofthem.”

Hisdisgustgavewaytorenewedavarice.Zendarin’seyesglowedafiercegreen.“Then,it’sonly

thematterofanegg?”

“Isn’titalways?Aaah…heretheybringitnow…”
Fourskardynappearedbelow,thescalydwarvesgruntingfromeffortastheyheldaloftahuge,

ovalegg…aneggstretchingnearlyayardinlength.Itwasthick,gray,andcoveredinaslick,oily
substancethatdrippeddownonitsbearers.Therewasnomistakingjustwhatkindofeggitwas.

Adragon’s.
“Theyshouldmakehaste!”urgedZendarin,awareofthefragilityoftheprizeregardlessofhow

massiveitwas.“Theeggwillnotremainfreshlong….”

Hiscompanionbegantodescendtothecavernfloor,herlackofconcernwellevident.“The

coatingofmyatiswillpreserveit.Myatispreserveseverythingsoakedinit,nomatterhowlong.”

Awareofhowoldthiseggactuallywasandthevalueofittotheirwork,Zendarinmarveled.

Indeed,noneofwhattheyhopedtoaccomplishwouldhavebeenatallpossibleifthisegghadnotbeen

preservedthroughthedarkartsinthefirstplace.

Notforthefirsttime,herskillsastoundedhim,hewhohadlivedsomanycenturiesand

accomplishedsomuch.

Hejoinedherbelow,justastheskardynplacedtheeggonastoneplatformsetupinfrontofthe

boundnetherdragon.Theimprisonedbehemothmanagedamuffledgrowl,muchtotheamusementof
theladyinblack.

“Temper,temper…”shecooed,asiftoaninfant.
Relievedoftheirburden,theskardynretreated.Theplatformwasmuchakintoanaltar,thetopa

rectangularslabofebony-streakedgranitethatmatchedinsubstancetheroundedbase.Thefourlegs
thrustingupfromthebasetotheslabhadbeencarvedtoresembledragonsrisingontheirbacklegs.
Wherethemistresshadoriginallygainedtheplatform,Zendarindidnotknow,buthecouldsenseits
incredibleageandthemanyspellsthathadbeencastusingit.Latentmagicalenergiessaturatedits
stoneform,tantalizingthebloodelf.Theplatformhadseenmuchuseoveritslongexistence,especially
spellsthathadcalledforthelivesoftheinnocentifthepaleredstainsonthetopwereanyindicationto
goby.

Thathisownpartinthisworkhadrequiredthesacrificeofothersdidnotinanymannerdisturb

Zendarin.Despiteeverything,hedidnotconsiderhisactsheinousintheleast.Ambitious,yes.Of
necessity,yes…butnotheinous.Likesomanyofhiskind,hewasdrivenbythehunger,theneed,to
seekoutmagic…atallcosts.Heconsideredallhedidnecessarytoachievingthatgoal.

Andthatmanyotherswouldstillhavetoperishintheprocesswassimplyamatterthathecould

nothelp…notthathecared.Afterall,theywereonlydwarves,humans,andotherlessercreatures.

Theladyinblackstudiedtheeggforseveralseconds,asifabletoseewithinitsthickshell.She

placedtheceruleancubebeforetheegg.Then,withasmiletothecaptiveleviathan,sheranherlong,
taperingfingersacrosstheprotectivelayer.

Themyatiscoatingsizzledaway.
“Joinme,dearZendarin….”
Heeagerlysteppedtoherside,summoningthemagicathiscommandtoblendwithhers.Itwas

theverynatureofhisabilitiesasabloodelfthatmadehimsoprecioustoherandpermittedZendarinto
voice,atleasttoapoint,hisfrustrations.Hebroughttothemistressamagicuniquelyqualifiedtoaid
her,foritwasbasedinthealmostvampiricsiphoningofpowerfromdemonsandotherdenizensofthe
TwistingNether.Zendarinwasexceptionallyproficientinthatskill,andthushismightwascurrentlyat
itsheight.

Italsohelpedthathehadathiscommandthosewhobroughttohimothersourcesofmagical

energy,invaluableservantswhomtheladyinblackcouldnotripfromhiscontrolwithoutlosingthem
andhimintheprocess.Thatwasanotherreasonthatshetoleratedhisimpatience.

Hestoodnexttoher,hishandssplayedovertheegginidenticalfashiontohers.Silently,they

linkedtheirmagictogether,bindingitintooneuniqueform.Astheydid,boththecubeandthewhite
crystalsburnedbright.

Zendarin’scompanionstretchedforthherlefthandtowardthecaptivenetherdragon.
Thewhitecrystalsletoutasinisterhum.Fromeachemanatedalightthatstruckthenetherdragon.
Bluetendrilsofenergyshotforthfromthestrugglingbeastwhereverthelightofthecrystals

burnedhim.Despitethesilverstrandsbindinghismaw,hisagonizedmoansshookthecavern.

Guidedbythesorceress,thebluetendrilsdovedown,strikingtheegginthecenter.Theeggshook

andswelledtotwiceitsoriginalsize.Theshelltookonanazurehue.

“Now…”shemurmuredtoZendarin.
Asone,thepairthrewtheirowncontributionsdeeperintothematrixofthespell,mixingthem

withthestolenforcesofthenetherdragon.Thecavernwassuddenlyablazeinawickedstormof

violentenergieswhosefocuswastheegg.Althoughimmunefrommostmagicthroughtheskillfulwork
oftheirmistress,theskardynscrambledtothefarthestcorners.Stilldwarvesattheircore,theywere
rightlywaryofapossiblecollapseofthecavern,butwiseenoughtoknowthepunishmentthatthey
wouldreceiveiftheyfledthecavernatthiscriticalmoment.

Theaircrackled.Thesorceress’sdarklocksrose.Theveilalsolifted,revealingclearlyher

savagely-burntprofile.Thefulllipsendedincharredfleshthatoutlinedthepermanentsmileofaskull.
Underneaththeupperedgeoftheveil,theearprovedtobelittlemorethanashriveledbitofskinovera
hole.

Sheraisedherhandshigh,Zendarinmatchingheractionsperfectly.Theycontinuedtothrowtheir

combinedpowerintotheeggasthesorceresstoremoreandmoreofthenetherdragon’sessencefrom
him.

Thenetherdragon’sstrugglesgrewmoreviolent.Futileashisattemptwas,itstillmanagedto

shaketheentirecavern.Ahugestalactitecrackedfree,plummetingtothefloorfarbelow.Askardyntoo
slowtoregisterwhatwashappeningwascrushedunderneathit,adeathunworthyofnoticeoreven
significancetoeitherspellcaster.

Zzeraku—thebloodelfrememberedthenetherdragoncallinghimself—shimmered,seeming

readytomeltintomist.Yet,thestrandsholdinghimprisonerdidnotpermittheOutlandbeasttoeven
escapetodeath.TheyheldZzerakumercilessly,tighteningfurtheratthemistress’ssilentcommand.

Moreandmoreofthenetherdragon’smagic—andessence,infact—pouredintotheswollenegg,

whereitcontinuallyintertwinedwiththatofthetwospellcasters.Zendarinalmostexpectedtheeggto
explode,sooutofproportionhaditgrown….

And,indeed,onesidesuddenlydevelopedacrack.
Butthisdidnotenrageorfrustrateeither,for,thenextmoment,itwasclearthatthecrackwasnot

duetotheirwork,notdirectly.Rather,thecausecouldbefoundwithin…acauseeagernowtobefree.

Theeggwashatching.
Intheglowoftheensorcelledegg,thefaceofZendarin’scompanionwasmoremonstrousto

beholdthaneventhoseoftheskardyn.Aninhumanqualityfilledherexpression…notsurprising,asthe
sorceresswasnomorehuman—indeed,evenlessso—thanthebloodelf.

“Yes…mychild…”shemurmured,almostsoundingmotherly.“Yes…cometome…”
Anothercrackdevelopednexttothefirst.Afragmentoftheshellfellaway—
Fromwithin,aneyepeeredout…aneyesuchasneitherhadeverseen.
Aneye,despitethisbeingthebirth,thatspokeofcunning,ofevil…far,farmoreancient.

ThebaythatseparatedthelandsofLordaeron,andDalaraninparticular,fromwhereGrimBatol

lay,waswide,butshouldhavetakenKorialstrasznomorethanfivehourstocross.Yet,onlymidway
out,thereddragonwasforcedtolanduponasmallrockformationjuttingoutoftheturbulentwaterand
perchuponitlikeaseagullwhileherested.Korialstraszcouldonlyassumethatthesorcerousshaft’s
crystalheadhadweakenedhimmorethanhehadexpected.

Buthehadlittleopportunityforrecuperation,forsuddenlyastormassailedhim,atempestofsuch

abruptviolencethatthecrimsonbehemothinstantlygaveupallnotionofrest.Dragginghimselfintothe
air,heinsteadcontinuedonhisway.

Buttheelementswereclearlyagainsthim,forthestormonlyworsened.Aspowerfulashewas,

Korialstraszwasyettossedaboutlikealeaf.Heimmediatelyheadedtowardtheclouds,thinkingtofly
abovethestorm,butthoughhefoughthardtoreachthem,theystayedwelloverhead.

Andthatatlastwarnedtheredgiantthatthisstormwasnotsonaturalafterall.

Ratherthanstruggletoreachtheunreachable,KorialstrasztriedamoredirectflighttowardGrim

Batol.Themomenthedid,thewindexplodedfromthatdirection,buffetinghimsohardthatthedragon
feltasifhehadstruckamountain.

Hedidnotbelieveinhappenstance.Thiswasaspell,yes,thoughwhetherdirectedathimin

particularormerelytohuntadragonwasaquestionhehadnotimetoanswer.Whatmatteredforemost
wasescapingit.

Logicsuggestedthathefightmagicwithmagic…andyet,Korialstraszwasnotsocertainofthe

wisdomofthat.Yet,hecouldthinkofnootherimmediatecourse.Thus,steelinghimselfagainstthe
ragingstorm,thereddragonstruckatthedarkclouds.

Nosoonerhadhedonesothanhewasattackedbyaraginghurricanetenfoldstrongerthanbefore.

Abarrageoflightningpoundedhim,andthegaleforcewindsturnedthedragonupsidedown.Hecould
seelittlepasthissnout,fortherainfellinapoundingtorrent.

AndevenasKorialstraszstruggledagainstvertigo,hewaspainfullyawarethatitwashisown

powerthathadnowmultipliedthestorm’seffect…justasthemysteriouscasterhadnodoubtintended.

Aroundandaround,thedragonspun.Thecloudsbecametheseabeneathandtheseathesky.

Korialstraszsawnochoice;hecouldnotreachthoseclouds.Thereremainedbutonealternative,evenif
itwaslikelytheonehisunseenadversarywishedhimtotake.

Arcing,Korialstraszdoveintotheswirlingwaters.
Hewascertainofhiserrorthemomentthathesubmerged,butcouldnotlookback.Evendespite

hiskeeneyesight,Korialstraszcouldseelittle.Thewatersofthevastbayturnedtoblackonlyscant
yardsbeneathhim,again,nonaturalthing.Amonsterseveraltimeshissizemightberisingupto
swallowhimandthedragonwouldnotseeit.

Somedragonswereborntothewater,butreddragonswereverymuchcreaturesofthesky,

howeverwelltheycouldswim.Korialstraszcouldholdhisbreathformorethananhour,assuming
nothingtriedtoforcethatbreathfromhim.Still,thesoonerhewasbackintheair,thebetter.

Voicesbeganwhisperinginhishead.
AnewwaveofvertigooverwhelmedKorialstrasz.Hecouldnottellthedepthsfromthesurface.

Thedragonimmediatelythrustupward,butinsteadofthestorm,allthatgreetedhimwasablackness
thatchilledtothesoul.

Andthevoicesgrewstronger,chantinginatongueKorialstraszthoughtthatheshouldknow.He

foughtagainsttheirseductivecall,awarethateachmomentheremainedcaughtintheirsnaremadehis
hopesofsurvivingmonumentallylesser.

Now,therewasonlythedarkness.ThedeepwaterssqueezedatKorialstrasz’slungs,whichmade

thecrimsonleviathanwonderifhehadbeensubmergedlongerthanhethought.Therewasnosenseof
time,nosenseofplace…onlythechantingvoices.

Iwillnotbeundonebythis!thedragonswore.Heimaginedanothercountenance,thatofhis

belovedqueenandmate,Alexstrasza.Yet,herimagewasfaded,andgrowingmoreso,adangerous
sign.

Butthatonlyservedtomakehimmoredetermined.Summoninghisstrength,Korialstraszcasta

desperatespell.

Lighteruptedaroundhim,searingawaythedarknessofthedepths.
Init,thedragonbeheldthesourceofhistroubles…naga.
Heknewtheirorigins,knewthembecausehewas,tohismindatleast,inparttoblamefortheir

creation.Once,theyhadbeenofthenightelfrace,theHighbornewhohadservedthemadqueen,
Azshara.Whenthesourceoftheirgreatpower,thefearsomeWellofEternity,hadimplodedduetothe
effortsofafewstaunchdefendersbutespeciallytheyoungdruid,MalfurionStormrage,ithadsucked
thegreatcapitalofthenightelvestothebottomofanewly-createdsea.WiththecityhadgoneAzshara

andherfanaticfollowers,supposedlytotheirdoom.

ItwouldnotbeuntilmillennialaterthatKorialstraszandtheworldwoulddiscoverthata

mysteriousforcehadtransformedthosetrappedbeneaththewavesintosomethingworse.

Theincredibleexplosionoflighthadcaughtthenagacompletelyunaware.Severalswirledabout

inutterconfusion,stunnedbythespell’sintensity.Asnaga,theynolongermuchresembledelvesofany
sort.ThefemalesuponwhomKorialstrasznowsethisbalefulgazehadsomevaguesimilarities
remaining,mostlyintheirslimmer,uppertorsosandtheirfaces,whichretainedthelong,narrowdesign
ofnightelves.Theywereevenbeautiful,ifinamonstrousway.Yet,noelvenracesportedfourwicked
armsthatendedinlong,talonedfingers,nordidanyhavethewide,veinedfinsofgoldthatblossomed
sharplyfromtheheadallthewaydowntothenaga’stail.

Andtailswerealltherewerebelowthewaist,forlonggonewerethesleeklegs.Thelowerhalves

werethoseofmassiveserpents,segmentedandscaled.Theytwistedbackandforthconstantly,giving
thenagaswiftnessandincrediblemaneuverabilityinthewater.

Themaleshaddegeneratedevenmorethanthefemales,theirheadslowandreptilian,withteeth

thatjuttedoutfromboththetopandbottomofthelongmawlikeacrocodile.Theireyesweredeepset
andnarrow,andtheircrestsandfins,whichjuttedassharplyasspearsinplaces,wereofadarkergold
andbrownshade.Theirtorsoswerelessincontrasttotheirserpentinelowerbodies,beingalsoscaled
andsegmented.Eventheirarms,massivecomparedtomostcreaturestheirsize,werecoveredso.

Therehaddeveloped,overthegenerations,manytribesofnaga,buttheseaquaandblackscaled

fiendswiththeirgoldenfinswereofatypeofwhichKorialstraszknewnothing,savethattheywere
clearlybothpowerfulandofevilmind.Thatwasallheneededtoknow.Nagaingeneralhadnolovefor
thosewholivedabovethesurface,butthesehadgonewelloutoftheirwaytosetatremendoustrap.

Forwhatreasonitmightbe,Korialstraszhadnotimetoconsider.Thelightbegantofade,andthe

nagaregrouped.

Butnowthathecouldseethem,itwasasimplematterforthedragontostrikewithbothhispaws

andhistail,bowlingoverthesinistercreatures.Severalwentsinkingintotheblacknessbelow,butsome
desperatelysoughttoreworkthespellthathadnearlydoneinthebehemoth.

Korialstrasz’sbodyflaredabrightred.Thewateraroundhimsuddenlyboiled.Inhismind,he

heardthenagashriekastheheatstruck.Twomalesintheforefrontwerecaughtfullon,theirbodies
swellingmonstrouslyastheyburnedred.

Abuzzingfilledthedragon’shead.Helookedbelowtohisright,whereafemalewithallfourarms

raisedtowardhimglowedwithmagicofherown.

Itwasasimplematterforhimtoincreasetheheatthathisbodyradiated.Thefemalenagafledjust

beforeshe,too,wouldhavebeenboiled.Thebuzzingceased.

ButKorialstrasz’slungssuddenlyached,andhefelttheimpulsetobreathe.Heneededairandhe

neededitwithoutdelay.Withdesperatestrokes,thereddragonpushedhimselfupward.

Thesurfaceseemedsofarawaythatthefearthathewasstillswimmingdowninsteadofup

crossedhisair-starvedmind,buthehadnochoicebuttocontinuethedirectionhehadchosen.

Thestrainonhislungsgrewhorrific.Ifhecouldjusttakeasinglebreath…
Hisheadshovedabovethewater.However,evenasKorialstraszfilledhisstarvinglungs,he

continuedtopushhimselfabovethesea.Magicandwingsgreaterinspanthansomeotherdragonswere
inlengththrewhimwellintothesky.

Askythat,thoughstillovershadowed,nolongerstormed.
Despitethenagathreatyethigh,Korialstraszwasforcedtohoverforseveralsecondsasheworked

toregainnotonlyhisbreathbuthissenses.Thecloudsremainedthick,buttheseaitselfhadgrown
calm,evendeathlysilent.

Amassofsquirmingtentaclesbrokethesurface,snaringthedragonbythetailandhindlegsand

seekingthewings.

Lettingoutaroar,Korialstraszimmediatelyfocusedonthespotfromwhichthetentacleshad

sproutedandexhaledsharply.Thetorrentofflameheunleashedwasnotasstrongashehoped,butit
didmakethemonsterbeneathunbindoneofhislegs.

Buttherestofthetentaclesstilltuggingattheredgiantthreatenedtopullhimunder.Korialstrasz

beathiswings.Hewasnoordinarydragon,evenifhewasnotanAspect.Thenaga’spetwouldsoon
discoverthat.

Andso,incredibly,ratherthantheseacreaturedraggingKorialstraszdown,heslowlybut

inexorablypulledthetentacledmonsterfromthedepths.Firsttherecameasharpbeak,asavagemouth
abletobiteintopiecesthelargestwarships.Thencamealong,tubularheadwithtwounblinkingblack
saucersformalevolentorbs.

Akraken.
Howthesmallbandofnagahadgottensuchacreatureintothebay,hedidnotknow.Still,what

matteredmostwasthatthemonstrousbeastweighedheavyonKorialstrasz.Thedragonlost
momentum.Theseagrewnearagain.

Therewasnochoice.Neartocollapsethoughhewas,Korialstraszexhaledonelasttimewithall

theforcelefttohim.

Unhinderedbythesea,hispowerfulblastbroiledthekraken.Theseamonsterletoutachilling

shriekasitreleaseditsgripandplungedbackintothewater.Thewaveitcreatedroseashighas
Korialstrasz’stailbeforesubsiding.

Thehugereddidnotrejoice.Indeed,itwasallhecoulddotokeepconscious.Despitehishorrific

weakness,though,Korialstraszquicklyshovedhimselfinthedirectionofhisgoal.Evenasshortasthe
distanceremainingwas,hedidnotknowifhecouldreachlandfallbeforehisremainingstrengthfailed
him.Yet,allhecoulddowastry.

Allhecoulddowashope….

Thewatersremainedstillasthegiganticreddragondwindledinthedistance,remainedstilluntila

singlenagaheademergedtowatchthevanishingleviathan.

Thefemalenaga’sslantedeyesstaredunblinkinguntilKorialstraszwasnomorethanadistantdot

justabovethehorizon.Atthatpoint,asecondhead,thatofafearsomemale,thrustup.Thescaleson
therightsideofthemale’sheadweretornnearthejaw,theresultofthemostperipheralofwounds
causedbythedragon’ssweepingtail.Ignoringhiswound,themalepeeredintentlyinthedirectionthe
femalehad.

“Thedeedisdone…”shemurmuredinagratingvoice.“Wewillbespared….”
Nodding,themalegrinned.Thefemalefollowedsuit,revealingherteethtobenolesssharp,no

lesssavage,thanhercompanion’s.

Thetwonagasubmerged.

FOUR

heforebodinglandscaperisingbeforeheronthehorizonwascalledKhazModan.Thehooded

draeneihadnoreferenceastothename’sorigins,butthemeresoundofitmadehersteelherself.She
knewthatorcsinhabitedthisregion,butso,too,diddwarves.Bothwereracesofwhichsheknew.And
forhersake,ifitcametoaconfrontation,themagehopedthatitwouldbewithoneofthe
underdwellers,notthegreen-skinnedwarriors.Thedwarves,atleast,wereallies.

Atfirst,therewasnosignoftheislandsettlementforwhichshehunted,butgraduallysomeshapes

materializedonthedistantshore.Themostprominentofthosewasthethick,stonewallonthefarend
ofMenethilHarborthatshehadalreadylearnedprotectedmostofthetownfrominlandincursions.
Then,tallerstructuresandhuge,shaggytreesmadethemselvesvisiblethroughthedissipatingmorning
fog.

Onebuildinginparticularcaughthergaze.Risingaboveallelse,thefourtowersofMenethilKeep

watchedoverthesettlementlikesternguardians,theirconedtopsreminiscentofwarriors’helmets.
Withintheirranks,thealmostcathedral-likestructureofthemainbuildingstoodonlyastoryshorter,
butwasmuchbroader.

AndasMenethilHarbortookformbeforethelonefigure,sheknewthatthesentriesinturnwere

verylikelycatchingsightofher.

Sureenough,onlyminuteslaterashipturnedouttomeether.Thecrewwasmostlyhuman,

althoughtherewereafewdaringdwarvesaboardaswell.Dwarvesingeneraldidnotdowellwiththe
sea,havingatendencytosinklikerocksiftheyfellin,butcurrenttimesdemandedbraveryofa
differentsort.

Astheshipreachedher,ahumanleanedovertostudytheloneintruder.Hisbeardedfacestretched

intoalookofsurprise.

“Mylady,”hegrunted.“Notoftenwegetoneofyourfolkinthisparticularland…andcertainly

notbysuchmeansasIseebeforeme.”Themanleanedcloser,revealingforthefirsttimethatheworea
tarnishedbreastplatemarkinghimasanofficer.Despitehisbeard,hewasyoungforhisrank,asyoung
asshepossibly.Theviolenceofthepastfewwarshadreducedthenumberofcapableveteranwarriors
onbothsides.

“Iseekonlylandfall,nothingmore,fromMenethilHarbor,”shereplied.“Willyoupermitthat?”

Thepriestessdidnotaddthat,onewayoranother,shewouldachievethatlandfallregardlessofhis
answer.

Fortunately,theofficerappearedamanofcommonsense.Draeneiwereallies;whyshouldonenot

beallowedentrancetoanAlliancestronghold?“You’llbehavingtoanswerafewquestionsoncethere,
butotherthanthat,there’snoreasonIcanseetobaryou,mylady.”

Hehadamantossdownaropeladdernearherboat.Ahirsutesailorscrambleddowntotake

commandofthesailboatwhileanotherheldtheladderinplaceasthedraeneiclimbedup.

“WelcomeaboardtheStormchild,temporarilyensconcedinMenethilHarbor.”Upclose,thelead

humanlookedevenyounger.Hiseyeswereabright,almostinnocentblue,butsomethingaboutthem
yettoldherthathehadalreadybecomeaseasonedfighter,ratherthansomeyoungnoblecommissioned
becauseofhisbloodline.“Iamitserstwhilecaptain,MarcusWindthorne….”

Hemadeasweepingbow,buteverkepthiseyesonher.Thoseeyesinvited—nay,insisted—she

likewiseintroduceherself.ThedraeneiimmediatelysawthatMarcusWindthornewasnotsomeone
easilymadeafool,thatdespitehisinnocent-seemingeyes.

“IamcalledIridi.”
Heacceptedtheshortreply.“MyladyIridi.ThereissomeoneyouseekinMenethilHarbor?”
Herheadturnedalmostimperceptiblyside-to-side.“No.Mytaskisbeyondthisplace.”
“BeyondthisplacearetheWetlands,fraughtwiththreat.Littlemore.”
“ThatisthedirectionImustgo.”
Heshrugged.“I’venoreasontostopyou,andifthosewhocommandMenethilHarborhaveno

reason,yourdoomisyourowntodecide,mylady.”

Hebowedtoher,thenturnedtothetaskofcommand.TheStormchildveeredaboutandheaded

backtothesettlement.

IridileftthebarteredboatinthehandsofCaptainWindthorne,thevesselhavingserveditspurpose

butofnomoreusetoher.Onshore,severaldwarvesmether,attheirheadonewithaparticularlythick,
lengthybeard.Heandtherestofhisbandallworewell-honedbattleaxesstrappedtotheirbacks.

“Name’sGarthinStoneguider,”herumbledaftershehadintroducedherself.Garthinperformeda

perfunctorybowthatgreatlycontrastedwiththesweepingonemadebythehumancaptain.“Notmany
draeneihereabouts.None,infact,lady.”

“She’snothingtobeafraidof,youoldboar!”MarcuscheerfullycalledfromtheStormchildasit

begantosetofffromthedocksagain.

Thedwarfgrowledatthehuman,buttherewasatwinkleinhisdeep,browneyesthatsaidheand

thecaptainwerefriends.ToIridi,Garthinadded,“AsIwassayin’,noneatall,lady.Whatbringsyouto
MenethilHarbor?”

“Itisonlyamomentarypause.Imustjourneybeyondformytask.”
“Andwhatmightthattaskbe?Someonelikeyourselfshouldn’tbegoingoutintotheWetlands.

There’rethingsworsethanraptorsthere.”

Shemethisgaze.“Yourconcerniscommendable,MasterGarthinStoneguider,buthavenofear

forme.IgowhereitisdestinedthatIgo.”

“Iseenyourlike.Priestess,youare.Youcommunewithsomethin’calledthenoru—”
“Naaru.”
“That’swhatIsaid,”Garthinreturnedobstinately.“Somemysticalbeingsorsomethin’.”He

shrugged.“We’vegotnoreasontostopyoufromgoin’beyondourwalls,butthefinalword’llbe
decidedbythegoverningcouncil.You’llhavetowaituntilnightfalltohearfromthem.”

Althoughhercallinghadtaughthermuchconcerningthevalueofpatience,Iridididnottakewell

tothethoughtofwaitingforsomeoneelsetomakeadecisiononasubjectuponwhichshehadalready
determinedhercourse.ShewouldleaveMenethilHarborandcontinueon,ofthattherewasnomistake.

Yet,shebowedherheadandhumblyreplied,“Asyousay.WheremightIseeksustenance?”
Hechuckledknowingly.“Oh,I’llshowyouthemarket…andkeepyoucompanyuntilthe

decision’smade.”

Iridi’sestimateofthedwarfrose.Garthinknewthat,leftalone,thedraeneiwouldbuymorethan

sheneededforameal,enoughtocontinueherjourney,infact.Whethershelikeditornot,thepriestess
wouldhavetowaituntilnightfall.

But,onewayoranother,shewouldleavethetownbeforemorning.

GarthinprovedmorepleasantofacompanionthanIridicouldhaveimagined,thedwarfwillingto

explainmostofwhatthedraeneicameacrossinthemarket.Healsogaveherahintofthetroublesthe
townwasfacingnow.

“’TisnotjusttheHordethesedays,”thedwarfremarkedatonepointwhileIridipretendedinterest

insomestoneware.“There’reotherthingsstirrin’beyondtheWetlands,theysay.There’vebeen
shadowsthatblotoutthemoonandcrieslikethoseademonmightmake.”

Althoughhereyeswerestillonthemerchant’swares,thepriestesslistenedverycarefully.

“‘Demons’?”

“Aye,thoughnoone’sseen’em.Still,morethanafewscouts’vefailedtoreturn,andthecouncil’s

decidingwhattodonexttoinvestigate.Ihearthey’resendin’amessagetotheking,”Garthinsaid,
referring,Iridiknew,tohisownkind’sruler.“ButI’mofamindthatifheain’tsentsomeoneout
already,heain’tgoin’todosonow….”

Throughmomentssuchasthisandotherlaterones,Iridigatheredenoughinformationtomakeher

certainthatshewasontherighttrack.The“demoncries”ofwhichGarthinhadspokenwereenoughby
themselvestomakehereagertomoveon…ifonlythecouncilwouldgiveword.

Theydid,butnotuntillateaftersunset,asGarthinhadsaid.Moreimportant,thewordtheygave

wasnottheonethedraeneidesired.

Garthinreceivedthemissivefromoneofhisownmen,readit,thengrowled,“You’regoin’

nowhere,lady…butyou’vecompany.Theyain’tallowin’anyonetoleaveMenethilHarborforthetime
bein’.”

Iridimoldedherexpressionintooneofmilddisappointment,althoughdeepinsidethedraeneiwas

alreadyplottingherdeparture.“Iwillneedaccommodationsforthetimebeing,then.”

“There’saninnthatmightsuitoneo’yourcallin’,lady.I’llguideyoutoit.”
Shebowedherhead.“Youarebeingmostkind,GarthinStoneguider.”
Hesmiledknowingly.“No…I’mdoin’myduty.Youwillbestayin’,lady,evenifyouendupinthe

jail.Ordersareorders.Noone’sleavin’.Foryourowngood.”

Heobviouslymeantwhathesaid,bothaboutitbeingforherowngoodandespeciallythathe

wouldputherbehindbarsifnecessary.Iridiconsideredcarefullyheranswer;herintentiontoleavenot
intheleastlesseneddespitethedwarf’swarning.

“Ifitistobeso,thenitwillbeso—”
Butatthatmoment,hornsblaredfromthewallsoverlookingtheWetlands.
Withadexterityandswiftnessthatthepriestessfoundastounding,Garthindrewhisax.“Stayhere!

I’morderin’youtodothat!”

Heranofftowardthewall.Iridihesitatedforonlyasecond,thenfollowed.
Atopthewall,dwarvenguardsundertheprotectionoftheroofedbattlementscontinuedtoblareon

thehornswhileothersheldtorchesupinordertogetsomeviewofthedarklandsbeyond.

Andinthoseunseenlands,Iridiheardsnarlsandhissesthatsethernormally-controllednerveson

end.

Garthinstoodatthearchedgate,whereseveralotherdwarveswerepreparingtomarchoutintothe

night.Morethantwentyfightersheftedtheirweaponsand,assoonasthesignalwasgivenbyoneof
theirfellowsabove,chargedout.

Unfortunately,somethingmuchlargertriedtochargeinsideatthesametime.
Iridionlycaughtaglimpseofclawsandteethbeforethedwarvesbeatitback,theiraxesstriking

oneafteranotherwithpowerfuleffect.ApainedroarechoedthroughoutMenethilHarbor.Despitethat,
Iridicaughtaglimpseofonewarriorsuddenlypulledintothedarkness…andforthefirsttimesheheard
adwarfscreaminutterhorror.

Yet,despitethatawfulcry,Garthinandtheotherscontinuedtopushintothenight,quickly

followedbyatleasttwodozennewcomers.Awareofthedeterminationandmightofdwarves,Iridi
knewthatthethreathadtobeapotentone.

HeedlessofeitherGarthin’sordersorthedangerwithout,thedraeneipriestessrushedforward.As

shedid,sheextendedherhand…andastaffformedinit,astaffwhoseheadendedinalong,pointed
crystalsetinasilverbase.Thecrystalflaredabrightblue.Attheopposingend,asmallerbutidentical
crystaladdedtothealmostblindingeffect.

“Herenow!Stop!”shoutedaguardfutilelyassheslippedthroughthegate.Irididiscoveredawide

bridgeontheothersideofthewall,oneleadingtowardthefog-drenchedWetlands.Atthefarendofthe
bridge,shemadeouttheshadowedformsofthefighters…andothercreatureswholoomedtalloverthe
dwarves.

Sheraisedthestaffandutteredthewordsthenaaruhadtaughtherpredecessorslong,longago.
Thegreatercrystalexplodedintoevenmorebrilliantlight.Amonstrouscommunityofhissesand

roarsassailedherears,andIridifinallybeheldwhatthedwarvesbattled.

Theywerereptilianinappearance,butstoodonhindlegs.Theirfrontpawsendedinsharp,curved

clawseasilycapableofrendingcloth,flesh,andpossiblyevenarmor.Mostwereofsomereddishtinge
withyellowstripes,andallworewhatappearedtobebandsoffeathersaroundtheirwristsandthroats.

Theypulledbackasone,thelightclearlymorethantheirnarrow,burningorbscouldtake.The

dwarves,theirbackstothecrystal,wereabletoquicklytakeadvantageofthesituation.Theyplunged
intothebandofreptiles,swingingtheiraxeshard.Heavybladeschoppedintoscaledhides,spilling
innardsandlifefluids.Threeofthefearsomereptilesfelltotheground,twoofwhichwerequickly
dispatchedbythedefenders.Thethirdmanagedtocrawlback,itstwitchingformignoredasthe
dwarvesfoughtthosestillstanding.

Buteventhankstoherstartlingintervention,thestalwartwarriorswerehardpressed.Iridicounted

atleasttwentyofthesavagereptileswho,despitethedwarves’deadlyaxes,weregivingasgoodasthey
got.Theyhadboththeadvantageofsizeandswiftness…swiftness,infact,thatastoundedthedraenei.
Worse,theyusedthatspeedincombinationwithaclear,organizedassault,almostasiftheywere
intelligent.Thepriestesssawonedwarfcutofffromtherest,thensurroundedandrippedtoshreds
beforeanyonecouldaidhim.

Thismustnotcontinue!Iridileaptforward,usingthestaffasaweaponnow.Shethrustitintothe

midsectionofonereptile,thenfollowedthroughwithakickperfectlyaimedatanunprotectedareajust
underthesnappingjaws.

Thebeastdroppedtoitsknees.Withafreehand,thedraeneitoppledthereptilecompletely,

sendingitintooneofitscompanions.

Butthenasetofclawstoreathercloak.Ifnotforitsvoluminousdesign,thoseclawswouldhave

alsorippedouthershoulder.Asitwas,though,hercloakbecametangledinthemonster’spaw.The
reptiledraggedhertowardit,causingthestafftofallfromhergrip.

Grittingherteeth,Iridireachedherstiffenedfingerstowardheradversary’sopenmaw—and

suddenlythereptile’sheadseparatedfromitstorsoandtumbledintoherarms.Thebodyshivered,its
deaththroesalmosttossingheraside,butpowerfularmspulledthestartledpriestessfreebeforethat
couldhappen.

“Youmustbemad!”Garthingrowled.“Getbackinside!Theraptorswillripyoutoshreds!”
“Ionlywishtohelp!”
“Bygettingyourselfturnedintodinner?”Withanothergrowl,thedwarfstarteddraggingherback

tothesealedgate.

Asavagehisswastheonlywarningtheyhadbeforeaslavering,stench-riddenformfellupon

them.Garthingruntedasatailwhippedacrosshischest,bowlinghimoverandnearlysendinghiminto
thewaterflowingunderthebridge.

Theraptorignoredher,moreinterestedinthearmoreddwarf.Iridirealizedthatitwaslikelydueto

Garthinseemingmoreofathreat.Theraptorassumedthatitcoulddealwiththesofter,lessimposing
draeneioncethedwarfwasdead.

ButthereptilehadtakennomorethanasteptowardGarthinbeforethepriestessflungherselfinto

itsmidst.Sensesheightenedbyyearsofintensetrainingimmediatelyanalyzedthebeastforanyandall
vitalspots.

Onehandhitjustbelowtheeye.Herfootstruckrightundertheribcage.
Theraptorcrumpled,itsbreathshockedfromit,itsnervoussystemstunnedbythehand.Iridi

landedatopthefallencreature,thenrolledtowardGarthin.

Thedwarfgroanedassheheldhisheadup.Hisgazefixedonher.
“Get—inside—”hedemanded.
“Letmehelpyouup,”thepriestesssaid,ignoringhisfrustrationwithher.Sheglancedaroundfor

herstaff,butcouldnotfindit.Instead,IridisawGarthin’sax.Sheusedittoenablethefightertogetto
hisfeet.

“Letmehavethat,”hesaidinadarktone.Assheobeyed,thedwarfquicklyraisedhisaxhigh,

thenburieditinthestrickenraptor’sthroat.

Iridifeltamomentarysenseofrepulsion,thenremindedherselfwhatwasgoingonaroundthem.

Garthinhadhadnochoicebuttoslaythebeast.

Thedwarfturnedtoheroncemore.“Getbackinside,orI’llcarryyou!”
Butthatchoicewasnolongeravailabletothem.Thebattlehadfallenbacktothebridge,andboth

werenowcutoff.Althoughtheraptorsappearedunabletoswim—forsurelytheywouldhaveotherwise
crossedthewatersandtakenthefightersfrombehind—neithercouldthedwarves.DespitewhatGarthin
mightdesire,Iridiwouldnotabandonhimforhersake.

Butthedwarfwouldnotbeignored.Withagrunt,heseizedherwrist.“Thisway!”
Garthinledhertowardtheright,awayfromthefight.Thedwarfmovedwithpurpose,clearly

certainofhisdestination.

“Thosereptiles,”Iridicalledastheyran.“Doesthisoftenhappen?”
“Youmeanthismayhem?Nay!Butsomethin’sgotthelizardsallriledupenoughtofleetheirown

hauntsandtrytotakeours!Swearthey’devengofortheshipsiftheyhadthebrainstosail’em!”

Thepriestesswasnotsocertainthattheraptorswerenotcapableofdoingjustthat,butsheheld

herpeace.“Sotheyattackyououtoffearofsomeotherthreat?”

Garthinchuckled,thoughtherewasnohumorintheaction.“Fortunateforus,eh?Aye,they

startedcomingafewdaysback.Firstacouple,thenmore,andnow,suddenly,thishugelot!”

“WillyouhavetoabandonMenethilHarbor?”
Heletoutadefiantgrunt.“Onlywhenwe’redead…Hah!Here’tis!”
Theystoodbeforearockthatonlythedraenei’sexcellentnightvisionenabledhertomakeout.It

wasroughlythegirthofthedwarf,butshesawnothingelseremarkableaboutit.

“Keepaneyeout,”Garthincommanded.
Assheobeyed,heplantedoneshoulderagainsttherock.Withtremendouseffort,Garthinbegan

shovingitaside.

Iridikeptwatchthestruggle,whichhadturnedintoastalemate,butalsoglancedbackatbothher

companion’seffortsandthemistyWetlands.Hermindracedasshedecidedherbestchoice.

“Here!”thedwarfdeclaredtriumphantly.Thepriestesslookeddowntodiscoveraholeunderneath

therock.Itwaslargeandobviouslytheworkofskilledhands…dwarvenhands.

Sheinstantlyknewwhatitwasfor.“Itleadsintothetown?”
“Aye,intooroutofit,dependingoncircumstances!Noraptor’llfitinit,assumingthattheycould

everfinditinthefirstplace.There’sawaytocoveritbackuponcewe’reinside…orrather,onceyou’re
inside!Climbin.”

ButIridihadalreadymadeuphermind.Sheputagentlehandonherprotector’sshoulder.“Iam

sorry,Garthin.”

“Aboutwha—”
Heslumpedforward,herfingershavingtouchedtherightnerveinhisnecktomakehim

temporarilyunconscious.Thedraeneiimmediatelyheftedhisdenseformintothesafetyhole,then
slippedtheaxinafter.OnceassuredthatGarthinwouldbeallright,thepriestessinspectedthestone.
Unlikethedwarf,Iridimoveditbackusingnotsomuchstrength,butratherasenseofbalanceand
direction.

Thatdone,shereturnedherattentiontothefight.Guiltoverabandoningthebravedwarvesswept

overher,andshestartedtowardthebridge.However,atthatmoment,morefigurescamechargingfrom
thetown,whilefromabove,well-aimedboltsbeganfallingupontheraptors.Thetidebegantoturn.

Iridithankedthenaaruforhersuddenluck.Therewasnosignofherstaff,butthatwasnota

significantproblematthispoint.Itwouldbethereforherwhensheneededit.

SheheadedintotheWetlands,seekingthetrailbywhichtheraptorshadjourneyedfromtheirold

grounds.Tracebackthereptiles’flightandshewascertainthatshewouldfindthatforwhichshehad
beensearching.

Oritwouldfindher.

Amassive,wingedformflewthroughthenightoverlandandsea.Itflewwithamanic

determinationthatonlypartiallyhadtodowithitsmission.Itsmindwasinturmoil,theresultofother
eventsstretchingacrossmuchofthebreadthoftheworldofAzeroth.Indeed,themissionitwasupon
was,insomeways,arelief…thoughitalsoaddednewburdens.

Theshroudedskyrumbled,threateningapowerfulstorm.Thehugeflyerimmediatelydarted

upward,passingthroughcloudsandrisinguptowherethemoonshonedownuponthedarkeningcloud
cover.

Fatiguealreadytouchedtheflyer,butitpushedon.Ithadacertainlocationinmindbeforeitcould

restandwouldreachitnomatterhowmuchthestruggle.Thevast,webbedwingsbeatharder,enabling
theflyertocutthemilesasiftheywerenothing…whichindeedtheyweretothisparticulardragon.

Thestormstirredtowakingbelow,butabovetherewasonlythedragonandmoon.Theformer

ignoredthelatterutterly,thoughitslightwell-illuminatedthescaledbehemoth’spath,nottomention
thebehemothitself.

Andinthatlight,thedragon’sscalesshonealmostasbrightasthemoon…ifthemoonwereblue.

FIVE

orialstraszawoketotherealizationthathehadbeenasleep.

Itwasnotwhatheshouldhavebeendoing.
Hisseconddiscoverywasthathenolongerworehistrueform,butwasshapedandcladasKrasus.
AndasKrasus,heslowlyregisteredhissurroundings,araggedcaveperchedonthesideofa

desolatehilloverlookingaswampyregion.Krasusknewimmediatelywherehewas,thoughhowhehad
gottenherewasstillalostmemory.

TheWetlandswerenearhisgoal,butnotexactlyonhisoriginalpath.Thedragonmagestumbled

towardthecave’sedge,thenstudiedthesky.Itgavehimnoclueastohiscominghere.

Thelastthingthatherecalled,hehadbeenusingwhatlittlestrengthhehadtoreachtheshore.It

hadbeenhisintentiontofindasecludedarea,thensettledownforashortrest.

Fromthere,Krasushadnoideawhathadhappened…andthatwasarareinstanceforhim.Hedid

notlikebeingataloss,especiallyunderthecircumstances.Inaddition,Krasushadnoideaexactlyhow
longhehadbeenasleep.Adragoncouldsleepforminutes,hours,days,weeks….Italldependedupon
circumstances.

Thistrekhasbeenatroublesomeonefromthefirstbreathon.Thatcannotbecoincidence.He

glaredathissurroundings,momentarilyblamingthemforhisstate.

Then,drawinghimselftogether,Krasuspushedasidehisfrustrations.Iftherewasareasonforhis

unnaturalslumber,hewouldlikelylearnitsoonenough.Whatmatteredwasthathewassoverynear
hisdestination.

SoverynearGrimBatol.
KrasusbeganthetransformationtoKorialstrasz…thenhesitated.Adragonwasahardthingto

miss,evenbytheblind.Hehadabetterchanceofencroachingonthedreadmountainifheremainedas
hewas.Indeed,thathadbeenhislikelyintentionwhenfirsthehadlefthissanctum,buthisdisturbing
sleephadmomentarilymadehimforget.Perhapshehadeventransformedintohissmallerformforthat
reason….

“Soitshallbe,then.”Krasuseyedthehillside,seekingapathdown.Ifhehopedtoremainhidden

fromthosewatchingformagicalbeingssuchashimself,itbehoovedhimtouseonlyenoughofhis
powertoshieldhispresence.Besides,hiscurrentphysicalformwasnotadversetohardeffort.

Glovedhandstookholdoftherockyhillsideashecautiouslyloweredhimselfdownintothe

Wetlands.Thedifferenceintheclimatebecamenoticeablealmostimmediately;thelandbelowwasfar
morehumid.Fortunately,thoughheresembledanelf—albeitaverypaleone—Krasushadared
dragon’sadaptabilitytoheat.TheWetlandsbotheredhimnotintheleast;thecavernsofhisflightwere
farmorecomfortablyhotand,dependingonthelocation,muchmoremoist.

ThecriesofWetlandslifewereoddlymutedasKrasussteppedontothesoft,wetsoil.Ingeneral,a

placesuchasthiswasteemingwithanimalsandinsectseagertovocalizetheirpresence.However,
thoughheheardsomeofbothgroups,thereshouldhavebeenmuchmoreactivity.

Itwasasifmuchofthelifeherewaswaryofimminentthreat…somethingthatKrasusalsofelt.
Butnothingreareditsuglyheadnorattackedhimwithvilemagic.Krasusjourneyeddeeperinto

theswampyregion,headingonapathdirectlytowardGrimBatol.

Thelushgrowthquicklyenvelopedhim,butasKrasusshovedvinesfromhisface,henoted

somethingaboutthatplantlife.Ithadanillfeelingtoit.Outwardly,itappearednormal,butinside,there
wasasensethatsomethinghadbecometwisted,thattheWetlandswerechangingfortheworst.

Thetaintfromthecursedmountspreads….Thiscannotgoon.Hegrimlyshovedthenextseveral

branchesandvines,furiouswithhimselfmostofallforignoringthebenightedlandafterfreeinghis
belovedqueenandriddingthemountainsoftheorcsandtheaccursedDemonSoul.Itshouldhavebeen
atthattimethathepersonallywentintothedepthsofGrimBatolanderadicatedanydarkness
remainingwithin.Evenwhilehisownflight,whichhadincludedsomeofhisoffspring,hadbeen
guardingtheregion,Krasushaddonenothing.Therehadalwaysbeensomeothercrisis,someother
danger,turninghimfromthistask.

Buthindsightwaseverperfect,whereasKrasuswasnot.Thatwasnoexcuse,ofcourse,butitdid

easehisguiltalittle.

Eachstepofhisbootsleftasquishingsoundthatechoedmuchtooloudly,butKrasusdidnothing

tostillthesound.Thatwouldhaverequiredmoremagic.Hestillhopedtosneakuponwhateverlurked
inGrimBatol,thoughthatnotionwaslikelymoreandmorenothingbutadream.

Smallinsectshoverednearhim,butthenflewoff.Mostofthosewhodinedonbloodcouldsense

thathiswasnottotheirtaste.

ButsomethingelseevidentlybelievedthatKrasuswouldmakeafinemeal.Henoteditspresence

nearby,yetcouldnotsenseexactlywherewithoutpossiblymakinghimselfknowntoanythinglurking
inthedistantmountain.Krasusmovedwithcaution;powerfulashewasinthisform,hewasnot
invulnerable.

Yet,ashetrudgedalong,nothingattacked.Theviolet-cladfiguremovedintothedeepestpartof

theWetlandsandfinallydecidedthatitwastimetorisksendinghismindouttowardGrimBatol.

Findinganarearelativelyfarfromtheshroudedwatersoftheswamp,Krasusplantedhimself

againstamossytreeandconcentrated.Immediately,hisviewexpandedinalldirections.Ahumanmind
couldnothavecopedwithsuchacompletesurvey,butadragon’smindwasfarmorecomplex,farmore
advanced.

Buttherewasonlyonedirectionthatconcernedhim.Drawinghisthoughtstogether,thedragon

magefocusedonthemountain.Now,hesawallthatlayaheadasifhealreadytrodthosegrounds.He
hadmadebettertimethanhehadimagined,butstillhadfartogo.

That,however,didnotconcernhim.Instead,hepushedhismindontothebarrenlands

immediatelysurroundingGrimBatol.There,hissenseofuneasemagnifiedathousandfold.The
wrongnessaroundandwithinthemountainscreamedatKrasustolearnitssecrets.

Eyesnarrowed,heshovedhismindintoGrimBatolitself.
Darknessatfirstfilledhisgaze,butthenfragmentsofimagesappearedasKrasusenteredthe

caverns.However,hisfirstfullglimpseofGrimBatol’sinteriorwasadisappointingone,forallhesaw
wasshadowedstalactitesandstalagmites.Therewereafewbonesinthechamber,orcbones,butthey
wereclearlyfromthebattlethathadoustedthegreenwarriorsfromGrimBatol.

Yet,thewrongnesswastoopowerfultoignore.Krasusconcentrated….
Hisbrowrose.Somethingwascoming.Hequicklywithdrew—onlytodiscoverthathismind

couldnotretreatfromGrimBatol.

Krasustried,butitwasasifheactuallystoodbeforethetonsofstoneanddirt,tryingtopoundhis

waythroughwithonlyhisfists.Allthathecouldseewasthechamberwiththeskeletonsandthe
blacknessthatmarkedthemountainsidethroughwhichhewishedtopassagain.

Andworse,becauseofthat,hecouldnotevenseewhatwashappeningaroundhisownbody.
Krasustriedagaintoretreat,butwithnobetterresult.Eachmoment,hebecamecertainthat

whoeverhadsetthetrapwouldnowstrike…yetnothingelsehappened.

Butalthoughthissnareappearednowtobeonesetinplaceandpossiblyforgotten,Krasusstill

neededtofreehimselfasquicklyaspossible.Heconcentratedonhisbodyashehadlastseenit,
imagininghismindagainwithin.

Yet,stillnothinghappened.Thedragonmagethoughtforamoment,thenturnedhisattentionto

locatingthespellmatrixthatheldhim.Itdidnottakelongtosense,butitscomplexitydismayedhim.It
wasclearlytheworkofaskilledpractitionerofthearts,possibly,dependingonitsage…possiblyeven
Deathwinghimself.

Nevertheless,Krasusknewthathehadtofindthefocus.Onlytherecouldhepossiblyunravelthe

spell,iftherewasstillhopeofthat.

Hisconsciousnesssankdeeperintothebindingspell,studyingitsarrangement.Ifindeedthiswas

Deathwing’swork,thatmight,ironicallyenough,betoKrasus’sbenefit.Iftherewasanybeingalive
whounderstoodtheblackleviathan’stwistedmind,itwasAlexstrasza’soldest-livedconsort.Krasus
hadmadetheformerAspectanextensivepartofhislong,vigilantwatch,Deathwinghavingplayeda
roleinmanyplotsoverthemillennia.

Onebyone,thedragonmagefollowedthethreadsofthespell.Hebegantoseeapattern,butone

moreintricatethanevenhehadsuspected.

Onelineshowedmorepromisethantherest.Krasusstartedtotraceitbacktoitsorigin….
Thethinghehadsensedearlierdrewcloser.ItwasmostdefinitelycomingKrasus’sdirection.A

suddensenseofintensehungerwashedoverhim,ahungernotforflesh,butrathersomethingmore
significanttohim.

Whatmovedtowardhimhungeredforhismagic….
Krasustriedtohurryhistask.Hewasadragon,acreatureofmagic.Tohavehismagicripped

awaywouldbeworseforhimthanifsomeonehadthrustaswordthroughhisthroat.Hehadseenothers
ofhiskindsuffersuchfatesandknewthatitwastheonedeaththattrulyfrightenedhim.

Thecreatureinthecavernsclosedonhismentallocation.ThatKrasus’sbodywasnottheredidnot

givethedragonmageanyhope.Somedevourersofmagicneededonlythespelllinktoseizetheirprey.

ThetrapcontinuedtoevadeKrasus’seffort.Thethreadhefollowedprovedadeadend.The

secondhefolloweddidthesame.

Themysteriousdevourerwasalmostuponhim.Krasuscoulddetectitshorriblenearnessandknew

thatwhenhewasfinallyabletoseeitthroughhisownspell,itwouldbetoolateforhim.Yet,nothing
hedidavailedhim—

Iamafool!Therewasonehope,albeitariskyone.Itmightenablehimtoavoidtheslow,

agonizingdeathdealtbythemagiceater…butcouldalsoendupcausingKrasustoslayhimselfinthe
process.

Intruth,therewasnochoice.Hefocusedinward.Formostmagicusers,whatheintendedwould

notbepossible,butKrasushadmillenniaoftraining,millenniaofpractice.

Whetheritwouldstillwork,though…
Krasusfeltthebeatingofhisheart.Itwasaheartthathadpulsatedthroughanagewheneventhe

dragonsasaracewereyoung,throughtheriseofnightelvesandthatrace’sdramaticcollapse.Hehad
watchedthedemonsoftheBurningLegionstrikenotoncebuttwiceandseenentirelandsrippedapart.

Andnow,throughhisconcentration,hetriedtoslowthatheart…evenstopit.
Thebeatingfeltsofaraway.Still,thathecouldevensensethatmuchgavehimsomehope.

Then,thebeatingeased.Onlyslightly,butenoughforKrasustohopeforsuccess.
Asinisterglowenteredthecavernoftheskeletons.
Krasusconcentratedhisfulleffortsonhisheart.Hehopedthattheintenseshockwouldflinghis

mindfromthemagicaltrap.Itwassomethingthathehadseendonebeforeandhadpracticedbefore,
butpracticewasnotthesameastrueemergency.

Avague,hulkingformappearedamongthestalagmites.Krasushadonlyseconds—
Ashockranthroughhim…butitwasnotduetohisattempt.Nevertheless,ittorethedragon

mage’smindfromGrimBatoljustasthedevourerreachedouttosnarehim.

AndKrasusdiscoveredthathehadonlyleftonehungrycreatureforanother.
Thecrocoliskhadhimbyhislegandwasintheprocessofdraggingthemagebacktowardthe

swampwater.TheshockthathadenabledKrasustoreturnhismindtohisbodyhadbeencreatedbythe
scalybeast’slong,toothymawclampingdeepintotheflesh.Bloodspilledfromtheravagedlimb,blood
thatonlyacreaturelikeacrocolisk,withitsstomachprotectedlikeapaladininplatearmor,could
tolerate.

Theironythathemightperishinthemawofsosimpleapredatorasthissix-leggedreptileafterall

thepowerfulstruggleshehadbeenthroughdidnotescapeKrasus.Steelinghimselfagainsttheagony,
thedragonmagesmashedhisfistonthecrocolisk’shardsnout.

Ablueauraenvelopedtheswampcreature.Itopeneditsmightyjawsasitroared,enablingKrasus

todraghimselffree.Thecrocolisk’sbodywhippedbackandforthastheauraintensified.

Panting,theinjuredspellcasterpulledhimselfbacktothetreeandeyedhisstrugglingattacker.

Thiswasthebeastthathadevadedhissensesearlier.Evennow,Krasuscouldbarelysenseitspresence.
Someforceenabledthecrocolisktoshielditselffromevenpowerfulmagi.

ButthatsameforcecouldnotnowprotectitfromKrasus’spowerunleashed.Hewatchedwith

grimsatisfactionasthecrocolisktriedtofleetheaurabyreturningtothewaters.Yet,witheachstep,the
reptilelostcohesion.Itsskinbegantosloughoff,turningtomistbeforeitevenhittheground.Thesix
legsstumbledastheydissolvedintoash.Thecrocoliskletoutonemoredesperateroar…andthelastof
thereptilefinallymeltedaway.

Onlyafewdropsofblood—Krasus’sblood—remainedtomarkthepredator’spassing.
Hestaredathistwistedleg,aninjurythatwouldhavemeantdeathbyeitherbleedingorinfection

hadhebeenahumanoranyofthemortalraces.Evenforhim,thepainwasterrible.Yet,theattackhad
savedhimfromaworseandmorecertaindemise,andhewasalmostgratefultothecrocolisk.

Stretchingonehandovertherippedflesh,Krasusconcentrated.Afaint,redglowspreadfromhis

palmtothebloodyravine.

Thebleedingceased.Someoftheagonyfaded.Thesmallertearsmadebythecrocolisk’steeth

shrank.Thelargeoneslowlysealedateachend.

Krasusdidnotsimplyhealhimselfoutside.Therewererumorsthatpoisonouscrocoliskshadbeen

discoveredoflate.Wheretheyhadoriginatedfrom,hedidnotknow,butKrasusdidnotwanttotakea
chance.Heknewwellthedangersofthetoxinssuchacrocolisk’sfoulteethmightcarry.Inhiscurrent
form,hewasmoresensitivetothem.Suchpoisonscouldslayabullinminutes,amaninless.Whether
theycoulddothesametohimnow,Krasusdidnotcaretodiscover.

Andsoashesealedthewoundsfromwithout,heburnedawaythepoisonsfromwithin.Thestrain

wasmorethanheexpectedandforthefirsttime,Krasussweated.Yet,becauseofwho—orratherwhat
—hewas,heprevailed.

Whenitwasdone,nosignremained.Krasusinspectedthelegandfoundittobefit.Asan

afterthought,hewavedhishandoverhisgarments,makingthemwholeoncemore.

Hehadlearnedsomelessonsnow.Nothingwastobetakenforgranted.Firsthehadslippedinto

unconsciousnessandfoundhimselfinaplacefarfromhislastknownlocation.Then,hismindhadbeen

trappedwhileinfiltratingGrimBatol,andnowasimplebeasthadnearlyslainhim…inpartbecauseit
hadgainedsomeabilitytoshielditselffromhislike.

ApatternwasbeginningtoemergethatdisturbedKrasusimmensely,especiallyashewasnot

certainofitsorigins.

Buthewasalmostcertainofsomethingelse.Hisarrivalappearedtobeexpected.
So…someoneawaitsme…orsomeonelikeme.Someonewhoplaysgames.
Butwho?
“Weshalljusthavetosee,”hemurmuredtohimself.Ifhisunknownadversarywishedtoplay

games,Krasuswasnonovicehimself.Letthembeawarethathewascoming;theywouldfindthat
knowledgemorehindrancethanhelp.

Krasussmiledgrimly.“Thenextmoveismine,then,myfriend….”
Hegestured…andvanished.

ThedwarvesemergedfromtheirnewburrowattheexitnearesttheWetlands.Theyhadnodesire

tocomethisway,butnecessityhadoncemoreforcedtheirhands.Theyneededtoreplenishsupplies,
especiallywater.

“Noraptorsabout,”mutteredGrenda.“Notmuchofanything,actually…”
Rompeeredintotheswampyregion.“Let’smakethisquick.”Hepointedatfourdwarvescarrying

smallbarrels.“YoulotgowithBjarlandhisfightersandgettothatbrookweknowissafetodrink
from.Grenda,youandtheotherscomewithme.Evenifwe’vegottoeatraptororcrocolisk,we’re
comingbackwithsomefreshmeat.”

Ashardyasdwarveswere,noneofthemwereparticularlyenamoredwiththenotionofchewing

oneitherpredator,themeatofbothstringyandtastingasifitwerealreadythreedaysold.However,the
choiceswerenotmany,especiallyoflate.Itwasawonderthateitherofthecreaturesstillhauntedthe
region.Mostofthesmallergamehadlongfled,sensing,likethedwarves,theevilofGrimBatol.

We’regettingclosertothetruth,though,Romcouldnothelptellinghimself.There’sthebloodelf,

thedrakonid,andtheskardyn.Andthatladyinblack.Weknowthey’rethere….Wejustdon’tknowwhat
they’redoingyet….

Hesuddenlylaughedharshly,startlingGrenda.Romquicklystifledhisoutburst.Thedwarvesjust

didn’tknowwhatthebloodelfandtheothersweredoing.Onetinyinsignificantpointuponwhichtheir
missionand,likely,theirlivesdepended.

Hethoughtofhismissinghand.Thewrist,thoughcauterized,stillthrobbed,butbeingadwarfhe

hadbeenabletomanagethepainevenafteronlyashorttime.Still,itremindedRomagainofhow,even
thoughhehadalwaysbeentheoneKingMagnicouldrelyonforthemostdangerousofquests,the
veteranwarriorhadinitiallybeenreluctant.Naturally,though,Romhadhiddenthatreluctancefromhis
monarch.Yet…You’reafool,Rom!Youshould’veletsomeoneelsecommandthismissionratherthan
dragyourselfbacktothisdarkplace…backtoitshungry,accursedself…

RomledGrendaandtheotherhuntersoutintotheWetlands,hissetexpressionhidingthefactthat

thedeathsofthepastateathimmorethanever.Notmerelythosewhohadperishedsincethemission
hadbegun,butallthosewhohaddiedsomanyyearsagofightingtheorcs.Hecouldstillseetheirfaces,
theirbloodycorpses.

Couldstillheartheirghostscallingtohim.
ThenRomrealizedthatsomeoneelsewascallingtohim.Grenda,whohadsightedsomething.
“Onlysawamovement,butthinkitmightbeacrocolisk,”shewhispered.
“Where?”

“Rightthere.”Grendapointedatadeadtreefartotheright.Thebrancheswerelonggoneandthe

upperpartofthetrunkhadcrackedoff.“Justinthedeeppartthere.”

“We’llfanoutaroundthearea.Watchyourfooting,everyone.”TheyhadlostpoorSammthatway.

Onemoment,theyoungdwarfhadbeensteppinggingerlyalongthesoftsoil…andthenextmomenthe
hadbeensuckedunder.

Theyneverhadrecoveredhisbody.
Grendatookhalfthehunterstothewest,whileRomledtheotherthreenorth.Hesawnosignof

theirprey,yetnotonlyknewhowwellcrocoliskscouldhideinthewater,butalsotrustedthefemale
dwarf’svision.Grendahadakeeneyeforaracethatlivedmuchofitslifeunderthesurface.

Thedwarvesmovedwithastealthmostotherracesassumedimpossibleforbeingsoftheirstocky

build.Grenda’spartyskirtedthewater’sedge,whileRomhadtoactuallyleadhisafewstepsintoit.

Themurkywatermadeitimpossibletoseeanythingevenjustbelowthesurface,butRomknewto

watchforthetelltalebubblesortheslightoddshiftofthecurrentmarkingacrocolisk’smovements.
Unfortunately,atthesametime,thereptilewouldlikelybewatchingforsignsofthem,aswell.

HeglancedovertoGrenda,whogesturedwithheraxataspotnearoneofherparty.Shehad

locatedsomething.Romsignaledhisgrouptohalt.

Thenextinstant,thecrocoliskroseuplessthanayardfromGrenda…althoughnottoattack,but

rathertofleefromherandtheothers.However,twoofherhuntershadalreadymaneuveredaround,
cuttingoffthereptile’sflightimmediately.Oneslashedwithhisax.Thebladecutdeepintothe
crocolisk’sforeleg.

Thewoundedanimalveeredaroundtosnapatitsassailant,onlytohaveGrendastrikeitfrom

behind.Herblowcutthroughthespine,sendingthecrocoliskintospasms.

Romnodded.Thebeastwasasgoodasdead.Thehuntwouldbearemarkablyshortone,forwhich

hewasgrateful.Thesoonerthebandwasbackunderground,thebetter.

Asloshingsoundtohisleftcaughthisattention.Twocrocolisks,whatevertheirtastes,would

betterfeedhiswearytroop.Heturned—

Butitwasnotoneofthewaterpredatorsbeforehim…itwassomethingghastlyandgelatinousthat

movedofitsownaccordtowardthedwarves.Withinitsquiveringformfloatedvariousobjects,but
especiallybones.

“Beware!”Romshouted.“Anooze!”
Oneoftheyoungerdwarveswithhimswungimpetuouslyatthemacabreformbeforetheirleader

couldpreventhim.Theaxheadsankinwithoutpause,causingthedwarftofallfacefirstintothe
gelatinousshape.

Thenightmarishthingsuckedthehunterintoitsmidst.
Romletoutacryofdismayand,heftinghisweaponwithhisonegoodhand,chargedatthe

creature.HehadsomehorrificmemoriesconcerningsimilarfiendsaroundtheDustwallowMarsh
region.Ifhehopedtosavetheotherdwarf,hehadtodosomethingquickly.

Withanexpertslash,Romcutatthemonster’sside…butthemarkhisblademadevanished

immediatelyafter.Romcursedhimselfforattemptingwhatheshouldhaveknownwouldhavenoeffect
ontheooze.Inside,theotherdwarftwitchedbutotherwisedidnotmove.

WiththecrocoliskstillstrugglingagainstGrendaandherband,itwasuptoRomandhistwo

remaininghunters.Astheotherpairjoinedhim,hecircledaround,hopingthat,ifhethrustthehiltof
hisaxin,themonster’scaptivecouldseizeitandbepulledfree.

“Thorvald’sBeard!”Romgasped.Hesteppedfromthegelatinousfiend,horrifiedbywhathesaw.
Thefrontofthecaptivedwarf’sfacehadalreadybeeneatenaway.
AskullwasallthatstaredbackatRomfromunderneaththethickhair.Evenashewatched,the

hairbegantowitheranddissolve.Itwaswhathehadfearedwouldhappen,butfromhisprevious

battlesagainstooze,thedwarvencommanderhadbelievedthathehadmoretime.

“Getback!”Romorderedtheothers,fearfuloflosinganotherofhispeople.
“Lookout!”onewarriorshoutedback.
Romwhirled.
Hadhestillhadhisotherhand,itwouldhavebeenlosttohimnow.Theburntstumpsankintothe

secondfiend’squiveringform,andRomfelthisfleshburn.

Cryingout,hetriedtopullfree,butthegelatinous,drippingshapewouldnotreleasehim.He

imagineddyingastheotherdwarfhad—

Suddenly,fromthetreetopsthereflewablazingmissile.ItstruckthecreatureholdingontoRom

deadon.Romexpectedtheoozingformtodousetheflames,butinsteadthefiendbecameaninferno.

Romsmelledoilandunderstoodwhatthearcherwasdoing.Healsounderstoodthatthiswashis

onlychance.Hepulledashardashecould,andpartofhismaimedlimbcamefree.

Anotherburningbolthitthestrugglingmonster.Romfellbackasthethingreleaseditsremaining

holdonhim.

Theotherfiendstartedtomoveintothewater,buttwomorearrowsstruckitinrapidsuccession.

Aswiththefirst,fireengulfedthemonster.Itshookasifabouttoexplode.

Retrievinghisax,whichhadfallenfromhisgrip,Romretreatedtohiscompanions.
Grendarushedupbesidehim.“Areyouallright?”
“Asbestcanbeexpected,”hereturned,gladlywatchingthemburn.Thesecondonehithad

becomelittlemorethanapileofscorchedrefuse…andburningdwarvenbones.“Damnedooze!…”

Sheshuddered,araredisplayoffearonherpart.“I’llbehavin’nightmares…poorHarak.Isthere

nowaytosavehimforburial?”

Bronzebearddwarvespreferredtoburytheirdead,returningthemtothegroundthatsobenefited

theirrace.Theyconsidereditbothanhonorandrepayment.

Butnothingcouldbedone.Thefire,fueledalsobytheoozeitself,wouldreducethebonestoash.
“Hegetsapyreofsorts,atleast,”Romanswered,tryingtomakethebestofagrimsituation.He

glancedaround,estimatingfromexactlywherethearrowshadcome.

Then,somethingattheedgeofhisgazemadehimwhirlabout.Grendatensed,clearlythinking

anotherofthemonsterswasabouttostrike.

ButwhateveritwasthatRomhadseenwasnowoutofsight.Heswore.
“Whatisit?Whatdidyousee?”
“Notnearlyenough.”Avagueshape.Thatwasall.Hewasnotevencertainhowtallithadbeen.

AllRomdidknowwithanycertaintywasthatitmovedmuchtoofastforoneofhiskind.

Butwhatinthisfoulrealmwouldlendahandtotheharrieddwarves?
And,moreofinteresttohim,whatdiditmeantohismission?

SIX

eisnear.”

Zendarinlookedupfromthepitintowhichhehadbeengazingforthepasthour,notforthefirst

timemarvelingatwhathe—andtheladyinblack—hadwrought.“Who?”

Theveiledladyjoinedhim.She,too,stareddowninwonderforamoment,thenlookedtothe

bloodelf.“TheoneIhaveexpected.ThetestsIsetbeforehimproveit;anyotherwouldhaveperished
orturnedback.Onlyheisdeterminedenoughtopresson.”

“Ifhe’scominghere,it’smorelikelyhe’safool.”
Shetippedherheadtotheside.“Heisthat…whichmakeshimnolessdangeroustous.”
SomethingoccurredtoZendarin.“Isensed—”
“Yes,oneofyourpetsalmostcameacrosshim.Thatwouldhaveprovenquiteinteresting,don’t

youthink?”

Asthebloodelfwasnotcertainexactlywho—orwhat—soughttoencroachonGrimBatol,he

merelynodded.Ofmoreconcerntohimwaswhatthismeant.“Dowedarebeginagain?Istheretime?”

Shesmiled,areactionthatalwaysmadehimshiverdespitehimself.“Weshallmakedowithour

lonechildfornow,mydearZendarin….Heshallsuffice,ifneedbe.”

Asifhearingher,frombelowcameahungryhiss.
Theladyinblackmadeashushingsoundtowardthepit.Immediately,thethinginthedarkness

belowquieted.

“Thepoordarlingneedstofeed.Wouldyoucaretodoit,Zendarin?”
Heshrugged,onlyoneconsiderationworryinghim.“Wemightkillthenetherdragonlikethis.

Thatcreaturehasaninsatiableappetite.”

“Weshallhaveanothersourceofsustenanceforthedearthingbeforelong…iftheonesoeagerto

reachusisascleverashethinksheis.Fornow,though,weshalljusthavetoriskthenetherdragon.It
isessentialthatnothingslowsthegrowthprocess.”

Thebloodelfbowed.“Asyousay,mylady.”
Hestrodeofftodealwiththematter.Theveiledfemalewatchedhimdepart,thengazeddowninto

theshadowypitagain.

Below,somethingflaredadeepandunsettlingpurplebeforeonceagainbecomingpartofthe

darkness.

“Patience,mychild,”shecooed.“Patience.Youshallbefed.Youshallbefed…andthengrowup

tobesoverybig…”Herexpressionturnedstony.“Justasyourdamnedfatherwouldhavewanted.”

ItwasnotKrasuswhoreappearedintheWetlands,butratherhistrueself,Korialstrasz.Moreover,

thedragonmaterializedatdusk,thebettertomakeuseoftheelementsofthenightforhisplan.

Thetimeisnigh,Korialstraszdetermined.Letusseewhatyournextmoveshallbe,hethoughtat

hisunknownandunseenadversary.IfitwasDeathwing,thenwhatthereddragonplannedwould
outwardlymakesensetotheblack.Ifsomeoneelse,thentheywouldsurelyfollowthesamelineof
thought…andthatwasallthatmattered.

Hespreadhismassivewings.
Thefrontpartofthegreatreddragonpeeledaway.TwoKorialstraszesnowstoodtogether.
Butthespellwasnotfinished.Asbothexhaled,fromeachpeeledawayanothercopy…andthen

another.Soon,eightKorialstraszesfilledthearea.

Asone,theyleaptintothedarkeningsky,headingindifferentdirections…butallwiththeintention

ofeventuallyarrivingatGrimBatol.

ItwasacostlyplanKorialstraszintended.Thecopiesweremorethanmereillusion;tomakeall

thiswork,eachhadbeenimbuedwithatinybitofhimself.Justenoughtomakethosewhomightbe
observinghimwonderwhichwasthetruedragon.Theywouldhavetoexpendpreciouspower
determiningthetruth…andbythentherealKorialstraszwouldbeuponthem.

Orsotheyweresupposedtobelieve.
Intruth,noneofthedragonswerereal.Alleightwereimbuedcopies.Astheothershadbeen

created,thetrueKorialstraszhadmaskedhistransformationbackintotheguiseofKrasus.

AndasKrasus,heonceagainbeganmovingthroughtheWetlands.Hehadlearnedhislessonfrom

hisnear-disaster;thistime,mostofhisremainingmightwasfocusedonmakinghiminvisiblebothto
theeyesandothersensesofanywatchers.Oncemore,itwassomethingthatfewothercasters,even
dragons,couldhaveaccomplished,andKrasushadsavedthisparticularspellforcenturies.

Nowhehopedthewaitwasworthit.
TheeightKorialstraszesdisappearedintothedistance.Theywouldflyroutescarefullythoughtout

bytheircreator,whoknewtheregionwellenoughtomakeeachseemtheconsciouschoiceoftheir
particularflyer.Krasussensedwithsatisfactiontheirdwindlingpresence.

Asforhim,hepushedonwiththeknowledgeofjusthowlongitwouldprobablytakewhomever

watchedtoeliminatethechoices.Bythen,thetruereddragonwouldhavealreadyinfiltratedthedire
mountain.

Avarietyofnightcreaturescrossedhispath,butthistimenonetookeventheslightestnoticeof

him.Krasuseyedwithdistasteasecondcrocoliskswimmingthroughthenearbywaters,butotherwise
didnothing.Hehadnobitternesstowardthespecies,howevermuchtheonehadhurthim.Healso
founditinterestingthat,incontrasttotheonethathadattackedhim,thisbeasthadnoobviousabilityto
shielditselffromhispresence.

Verycurious,thedragonmagethought.Coulditbethatthefirst—
Hisbodysuddenlyshook.Hefeltaslightsenseoflossandrecognizeditsoriginsimmediately.
Oneofhisduplicateshadbeenjustdestroyed.Exactlyhow,hecouldnotsay,butinsomemanner

ithadinvolvedpotentmagic.Thecowledspellcastertookamomenttorecover,thenpressedon.

ThatthefirsthadbeenstruckdownsoquicklydidnotsurpriseKrasusintheleast,thoughhestill

mournedthattinypieceofhimthathadbeenlost.Hehadexpectedtobetestedquickly.Theduplicate
hadserveditspurposeandthelossofoneamongeightwasasacrificethathecouldwellsuffer.Already
hehadcoveredagreatdistance.

However,hehadscarcelygoneanhourmorewhenagainhewashitfromwithin…andthistime

thesenseoflossfelttenfoldmoredevastating.Krasusgrunted,forcedtorestagainstatreeformore
thanaminute.Hehadexpectedabitmoretimetopassbeforeasecondwasdestroyed.Still,therewas
nothingtodobutcontinue.

Andsohedid…untilbarelyashortwalklaterathirdlossstruckhimharderthantheprevioustwo

had.Nowthedragonmagestaggered.Findingaplacetosit,Krasustookseveraldeepbreaths.Notonly
hadthisonecomemuchtooswiftlyaftertheothers,butitshouldnothaveaffectedhimsohard.Hehad
calculatedeverythingtothefinestdetail.Itshouldnothave—

Krasusstiffened.Inadditiontowhatwashappeningwellahead,heabruptlyrealizedthat,once

again,someoneorsomethingwaspursuinghim.

Thisisnotasitwassupposedtobe!Heangrilypeeredbehindhim,butsawonlytheWetlands.

Yet,therewassomethingstalkinghim,anditwasnocrocolisk.Krasushadraisedwardsagainsta
reoccurrenceofthatnature.Indeed,fromwhatlittlethatthedragonmagecouldsense,whatfollowed
wieldedamagicdifferentfromthattowhichhewasused.

Foraregionsupposedlyabandonedbyanycreatureofreason,theWetlandsandGrimBatolwere

provingquiteactive.Krasusfinallywentagainsthisbetterjudgmentandsoughtwithhismindtobetter
probethedirectioninwhichhefeltthehoundonhisheelsfollowed.

Therewasabrieftrace…andthennothing.Thedragonmagefrowned.Somethingwasnotright—
Acloakedfiguresuddenlyleaptoutfromamongthetrees,oneobscuredfootpoundinginto

Krasus’schestwithastoundingforce.Thelankyspellcasterwentflyingback.

Buthewashardlybeaten.Hisbodystoppedfallingjustinchesfromtheground,thenimmediately

righteditself.Thecowledmageglaredinthedirectionofhisattacker,aspellready.

Themysteriousattackerwasnowheretobeseen.
Krasusspunabout,armraised.
Hebarelyblockedthestrikecomingathisthroatfrombehind,ablowcertaintoatleast

incapacitatehim,ifnotshatterhiswindpipe.Whoeverhefoughthadknowledgeofallthemost
sensitiveplacestohit.Thekickwouldhaveleftanyhuman,elf,ordwarfunconscious,theirbreath
crushedfromtheirlungs.OnlybecauseofwhatKrasusactuallywashadhebeenabletowithstandthe
attack…andthisoneaswell.

Yet,evenashedeflectedthatblow,hisassailantsummonedintobeinganoddstaff…thecrystaltip

ofwhichpromptlytouchedKrasusonthechest.

Heletoutaroarworthyofanydragonasthepainengulfedhim.Wardsthatshouldhaveheld

againstmostmagicalattacksfailedutterly…because,hesensedbelatedly,theforcesunleashedbythe
crystalwereunlikethearcanemagicsofAzeroth.

AndonlythendidKrasushaveasuspicionastojustwhathisattackerwas.
Unfortunately,helackedthestrengthtostand,muchlessspeak.Legscollapsingunderhim,the

dragonmagetumbledtotheground.

Barelyhadhedoneso,whenthecloakedformsetonefootonhissideandthetipofthestaff

againsttheveryspotthatithadjusttouched.

“Whereishe?”afemalevoicewithanaccentthatverifiedforKrasushissuspicionsdemanded.

“Whathaveyoudonewithhim?”

“I—Ihavenoideaofwhomyouspeak!”hemanaged.Then,trustinginhisjudgment,hesaidin

anotherlanguage,“Butadraeneiisnoenemytooneofmykind,child….”

Thecloakedfigurehesitated.“No…youmustbetheone….Thetrailledmehere….”
Stillspeakingthedraenei’stongue,Krasusreturned,“IhavefoundtrailsinvolvingGrimBatolmay

leadanywherebutthetruth.”

Therewasanotherpause,then,“Thereismuchinthat.Fartoomuch.”
Shewithdrewthestaff,whichthenvanished.
Thedragonmagenoddedininterest.“SeldomhaveImetapriestorpriestessofthedraenei,and

neverhaveIseenonewhowieldedsuchagiftfromthewondrousnaaru….”

Herlastbitofuncertaintyvanished.Pullingbackherhood,sherevealedherselftoalsobeoneof

theyoungestdraeneiKrasushadthusfarcomeacross.“Isenseinyourtonenothingbuttruth.Myname
isIridi….”Sheextendedahandtohelphimup.“AndwhenIhearyouspeakofthenaaru,Ihear
somethinginyourvoicethatplacesyouclosertothemthanyouaretome….”

“Iwouldclaimnosuchvauntedposition.Iamaspellcasterofsomepower,yes.”Shehadclearly

notseenhiminhistrueform.Forthemoment,hepreferredtokeepthatpartofhisidentityevenfrom
her.“YoumaycallmeKrasus,child.”

Herexoticeyesnarrowedandaslightsmilecrossedherface.“Krasus…mayIputahandtoyour

chest?Imeannoharmbyit.Itisasignoftrustamongthoseofmyparticularorder.”

Henodded.Iridiplacedherpalmatophisrobe,thenclosedhereyes.
Krasusfeltaslightwarmth.Startled,hepulledback.
Thedraenei’seyesshotopen.Sheworealookofutterastonishment.“Youarenotasyouappear,

Krasus!”

“No.”Thedragonmagesaidnothingmore.“Andneitherareyou,itseems.”Hefeltnoanger

towardher,despitehertrick.Intruth,Iridihadastoundedhiminreturn.Hehadnotexperiencedsucha
spellamongthedraenei,whetherspellcasterorpriest.Iridiseemedtohaveabilitiesrareevenamongher
ownkind.

Hewonderedagainaboutthestaff.Krasusknewjustenoughaboutthenaarutoknowthatshe

wouldnothavebeengivenitwithoutagoodreason.

Thepriestesswentdownononeknee.HercontinuedreverencemadeKrasusuncomfortable,forhe

hadnodesireforanyonetohonorhim.

“Riseup,”heinsisted.
Irididid,albeitslowly.Hereyescontinuedtostretchwide,asifshetriedtoimagineKrasusashe

trulywas.“Lordoftheair,forgivemeforattackingyoulikeafool—”

“Thereisnothingtoforgive,anddonotcallmebysuchatitle.”
Sheshookherhead.“Butyouareoneofthewingedones.”Hereyesshutbriefly,thenthedraenei

added,“Ofthosewhofollowthecauseoflife…”

Krasuswasmoreandmoreimpressedbythepriestess.Shehadlearnedallthatsimplybytouching

him.Hemadeanotetohimselftonotpermitthepalmgestureanymoreshouldheevermeetanother
draeneiwhomadesucharequest.

AlthoughKrasusnowatleastsomewhatunderstoodhowanyonecouldhavetrackedhimdespite

hiswards—andhevowedthatfromhereonthateventoadraeneihewouldbeinvisible—therewasyet
thequestionofwhatthepriestesswasdoinginthisforsakenlandinthefirstplace.

However,beforehecouldask,thedragonmagewassuddenlystruckasifbyanunseensword

throughhisheart.Thesenseoflossthathehadfeltwhenoneofhisduplicateshadbeeneradicated
overwhelmedhimagain,butdoublyso.

“Greatone,”Iridigasped,reachingforhim.“Whatailsyou?”
Krasuscouldbarelystand.Twomorequicklygone…andsoclosetogether!Whatishappening?

Whatis—

Heblackedout.

Iridigrabbedforthecowledfigurejustbeforehewouldhavefallen.Shewasatalossastowhat

hadjusthappened.Ithadbeenenoughofastruggleforhermindwhenshehaddiscoveredthatthe
figurethatshehadsorecklesslyattackedwasinactualityfarmorethanthepriestesshadimaginedhim
—andcertainlynottheslim,elvenfigureofwhomshehadonlygottenabriefglancefromtoolongofa
distancebackinDraenor.

Oneofthelordsoftheair…areddragon…Iridicouldscarcelybelievethatshehadtakenonsuch

anancientleviathan.ThepriestessdoubtedverymuchthatshehadactuallybestedKrasus—nothis
dragonname,thatmuchthedraeneiknew—byherselfandnowhiscollapsesurelyprovedherright.He
hadclearlybeenweakenedfromthestart,mostlikelybywhathadassailedhimnow.

Grippingtheslumpedbodyasbestshecould,IrididraggedKrasustothesideofasmall,squathill.

Themomentthatthepriestessfeltsecurewithhowhelay,shebeganseeingjustwhatshecoulddoto
help.

Therewerenovisualsignsastohisailment.Kneeling,thedraeneiplacedherpalmsafewinches

aboveKrasus’shead.Shedidnotcareforwhatsheintendednext,butitwasherbestchancetofindout
quicklywhathadhappened.

BarelyhadIridibeguntoconcentratewhenvoicesandimagesflashedthroughhermind.Ared-

hairedhumanwiththelookofamageonhim.Anantlered,stalwartfigurewhoappearedtobeanight
elf—andoneofthedruidsofwhichshehadheardbutherselfhadnotyetseen.Afemaleelfoflighter
complexion,afighterwhoseimageseemedboundtothehuman,oddlyenough.

Thevoicesintermingledrandomlywiththeimages.
Youwouldsacrificeanythingforher,wouldyounot,Korialstrasz?
Ihadthoughtyoudead.Imournedyouforalongtime….
They’vethatmuchfaithleftinme?Aftertheothersdied?
Youofallshouldunderstandmyneedtodiscoverthetruth.
Andmoreandmorefaces.Ascarred,war-wearyorc.Anothernightelf…whoseblindedface

suddenlyremindedherofthehorrifictalesofthedemonIllidan.Anoblepaladin.Anarroganthuman
noble.Ayoung,blondwoman,whoseeyesheldbothinnocenceandsomeincrediblesecret.

And,mostofall…afacethatshiftedbackandforthbetweenanextraordinarilybeautifulwoman

withcrimsontressesstreakedwithgoldandthesamesortofpaleelvenfeaturesasKrasuswore…and
theagelessvisageofagargantuanreddragon.Minglingwiththewoman’sfieryhairwereleaves
touchedbyautumn,butwhatstruckIridimorewasthatthewild,ambereyesoftheformer—eyesfilled
withbothawisdomandhumorthatthepriestesscouldneverattaininherownshortlifetime—were
somehowthesameeyesasthosebelongingtothecrimsonleviathan.

Theyweresomeofthesignificantmemoriesofthisancient,thisdragoninmortalguise.Sheknew

histruenamenowandthereveredplaceheheldwithonethatthedraeneiwasawarewasabeingof
greatpower.

“YouareKorialstrasz,”Iridiwhispered.“Firstconsortto—totheAspectofLife?—and—and

protectoroftheyoungraces…”Itwasimpossibletokeeptheawefromreturningtohervoice.“Youare
asmuchAzeroth’smateasyouarehers,foryoulovethembothsomuch….”

Butthatwasnotwhatshehadbeenseeking.Sheneededtofindthecoreofwhatailedhim.

Unfortunately,thesememorieshadtobepeeledback,first.

Thoughregrettingherintrusionintohispast,thepriestesshadnochoice.NotonlycouldIridinot

haveabandonedsomeoneinneed,butshealsofeltcertainthatKrasus—heseemedtopreferthattitle
wheninthisform—wassomehowapartofhersearch.Theeldersofherorderhadtaughtherthatthere
werereasonsforallthatoccurred,fromtheslaughterofsomanydraeneibytheorcsduringtheearly
daysoftheirencounterstothegreatcalamity—againbythehandofanorc—thathadliterallyripped
apartDraenor.Thenaaruhademphasizedthatpointaswell.No,IridineededtohelpKrasusnotonlyfor
hissake,butherown.

Butothermemorieskeptflowingintoher,oneinparticulardisturbingtoher.Shesawahugecity

ontheedgeofasinister,darkbodyofwater.Amaelstromformedinthelatterandthecitywasdragged
under,countlesslivessuckedintothewaterwithitbeforethewatersthemselvesbegantofollowinto
thedreadgap.IridisensedthefoulnessoftheBurningLegion…andsomethingolderandmoreterrible

thaneventhemlurkinginthebackground.

Thepriestessfoughtthroughthememoriesandvoices,seekingthatwhichwasmoreimmediate,

moresignificanttothemoment—

Shefoundit.Apartofthedragonmagewasliterallymissing.Asmallpart,buttheviolenceofits

destructionhadbeenterrible.

Andevenasthedraeneidiscoveredthis,thatintangiblegapwithinsuddenlyexpanded.Boundto

herpatient,thepriestesswasalsostruck.Andwhileagainsthertheattackwasonlyperipheral,itwas
enoughtothrowthedraeneiback.

Iridilandedhard.Fightingdizzinessandpain,shesuddenlylookedabout,certainthatwhatever

wasresponsiblewasuponthem.

Yet,althoughshesawnothing,Iridiknewthattimewasrunningout.“Greatone!”Sheseizedhis

shouldersinamostunpriestesslikeway,shakingthemhard.“Greatone!Krasus!”Outofdesperation,
sheaddedlast,“Korialstrasz!”

Thedragonmagestirred,butdidnotwake.
Thedraenei’sfeelingofimpendingdisasterheightened.Withnootherrecourselefttoher,Iridi

struggledtoraiseKrasusupsothatshecoulddraghimawayfromtheimmediateareatobetter
protection.

Ablood-chillingroarfilledthedarkenedsky…ablood-chillingroarthatwasansweredamoment

laterbyanother,identicaloneevencloser.

SEVEN

nthepitthatpassedforitsnest,thatwhichZendarinandtheveiledsorceresshadcreateddigestedthe

energymostrecentlyfedintoitbythepair.Despitehavingbeenfedwell—asthescreamsofZzeraku
couldattest—thethinginthedarkstillhungered.Ithungeredforbothmoreofwhatthenetherdragon
couldgiveitandalso,atlast,forsolidfare.

Butofboth,therewasnonetobehad.Thesmall,scalycreatures—theskardynits“mother”had

calledthem—hadlearnedtostaywellawayfromthenest’svicinity.Theyhaddiscoveredthehardway
that,althoughnewlyborn,thatwhichhadhatchedfromtheeggwasalreadyamasterofitsnatural
magic.Withitsgrowingabilities,ithaddrawnoneskardyntoitbycausingthegroundunderneaththe
vermin’sfeettogiveway.Theskardynhadfallenintothepit,wherethesmallmorselwasdevouredina
singleswallow,thefoodstillkickingandscreamingasitdescendeddownthegullet.

Itwasgrowingfast,faster,infact,thanits“parents”hadimagined.Theywerepleasedwiththat,

althoughnotaspleasedasit,whoyearnedtobefree,toflyinthesky….

Tohuntanddevourproperprey…
Then,throughsensesthatonlyitwasawarethatitpossessed,itnotedthosewhohadcomebefore

it,thosewhowerealmostlikeit…butnotquite.Nowandthen,itcouldfeelandevenimaginewhatthe
othertwodid,thetwowhoactedasone.Theywereasclosetosiblingsasithad,andsotheseglimpses
oftheirfreedomwereasafeasttoastarvingman.

Theywerehunting.Theywerehuntingtheproperprey.Theynotonlywerehuntingit,but,having

tastedsomelittlehintofit,nowknewwhereithid.

Thethinginthepittastedtheireagerness.Theywerenotascleverofmindasit,buttheirinstinct

wasstrong.

Itwaited,eagertosavorthroughthemthedevouring.Soon,though,soonitwouldgrowlarge

enoughtohuntonitsown.

Andthen…noforceinalltheworldwouldbeabletostandagainstitsmight.

Theflappingofwingsfilledthenightsky,butalthoughIridihadexcellentvision,shecouldnot

quitemakeoutwhatitwastheypresaged.Therewereshapesabove,shapesthatheldavaguelikeness
tothatforwhichshehadsearched,butthedraeneipriestessalsofeltthewrongnessemanatingfrom
thoseshapes.WhateverdescendeduponKrasusandhershouldnotbyrightshaveexistedoneither
AzerothorDraenor…though,inallcontradiction,italsofeltasifapartofbothworlds.

“Ahh,sssuchlovely-lookingmorsssels…”bellowedamonstrousvoice,strikingherearslike

thunder.“Andwearesssohungry…”

“Hungry…yesss,weare…”echoedasecondwithequalferocity.“Ithasssbeensssolongsssince

wefeasssted…”

“Sssoverylong…”calledthefirstfromwhatseemedtothedraeneidirectlyaboveher.
Theskythereshimmeredanunsettlingpurple.Thepurplecoalescedintotheoutlineofa

gargantuancreature.

Adragon.AdragonofsuchproportionastoleaveIridigapingatitdespitetheperilitalso

presentedtoher.

“Sssoverylong…”itrepeated.“Andwearealwayshungry…”
Itdescended.
Thedraenei’shandthrustup,thenaarustaffforminginitsgrip.Thecrystalflared.
Roaring,thenightmarishdragonsuddenlyvanished.
Iridiknewthatithadnotbeenduetothestaff.Thecrystalhadnosuchability.
Thegroundaroundhererupted,entiretrees,hugerocks,andtonsofdirtrippedawaybywhatat

firstthepriestessimaginedanearthquakebutwhatmaterializedamomentlaterasthedragon…barely
yardsfromthetwosmallfigures.

“Wemussstfeed!”itdeclaredsomewhatmoresuccinctlythanprevious.
Above,theothervoicerepeated,“Yesss,wemusssteat!”
IttooknostretchofIridi’simaginationtounderstandthatthepairreferredtothedraeneiand

Krasus.

Shewavedthestaffattheoneontheground.Theshimmeringdragon,intheprocessoftearingup

therestofIridi’ssurroundings,drewbackinanger…anddisappearedagain.

ThedraeneiimmediatelyseizedKrasusand,exertingherselfasmuchasshecould,draggedhimin

theoppositedirection.

TheWetlandstheresuddenlyexploded.Asecondlater,thehugeformofadragonappeared.

AlthoughIridicouldseenodifferencebetweenitandthepreviousvisions,shewascertainthatthiswas
thesecondofthemonsters.

ItopenedwideitsmouthtosnapupKrasus…andIridiintheprocess.
Shetriedtoraisethestaff,butitwasentangledwiththeunconsciousmage.Iridiconcentrated,

seekinganothercourseofaction.

Krasus’seyessnappedopen,theenergyoflifecausingthemtoglowbriefly.
Beforeshecouldspeak,heshovedherfromhim.Startled,thepriestesstumbled.
Aroarsplittheskies,butitwasadifferentonefromthoseshehadheardbefore.Iridiblinkedher

gazeclear.

WhereKrasushadstood,ahuge,crimsonformnowtowered.ThereddragonKorialstraszspread

hiswings,awondroussightofsuchhugedimensionsthathismerepresencemadetheshimmering
monsterhissandretreat.

“Yes!Youwoulddobesttofleefromme!”Korialstraszproclaimed.“ForIshownomercytothose

whothreatenmyfriends!”

“Foolissshmorsssel…”snarledthecoweringmonster,butitbackedfartheryet,clearly

intimidated…whichwasasIridiknewthereddragondesired.

Fromthepreviousdirectioncamearoarthatmarkedthesecondofthetwomacabrebeasts.

Korialstraszimmediatelyturnedhishugehead,snappingattheair.

Hewasweakerthaneitherofhisfoesknew,andthedraeneiprayedthattheywouldkeeptheir

ignorance.Iftheysensedintheleastthathisshowofmightwaspartiallybravado,thentheywould
quicklyturnonhim.

Korialstraszroaredbackatthedarkness…andtheotherdragonformed.Likethefirst,itwas

cowed.Asthereddragonspreadhiswingswideryet,theshimmeringformdroppedtotheground,

takingupapositionlikeitstwin.

Iridi’sgiganticcompanionglanceddownather.“Leavethisplace,”hemurmured.“Leave

cautiously,withoutshowinganyfear,butleaveitnow….”

“But,whataboutyou?”
Heturnedhisgazebacktothetwodreadbehemoths,hisfailuretoanswerthedraeneianswer

enough.Korialstraszwasonlyconcernedwithherlife,nothis.

Thepriestesscouldnotleavehimtofacethemalone.Shehadmanyskillsandthestaffather

command.Therehadtobesomemannerinwhichshecouldaidhim—

Althoughhiseyescontinuedtomonitorthetwonightmarishdragons,Korialstraszsuddenlymade

amovementwithhistailthatthedraeneirealizedwasdirectedtowardher.Theredstilldesiredforher
todepart.

Oneoftheshadowycreaturesalsonoticedthemovement…andprovedcunningenoughto

understandwhatitmeant.MonstrousorbsmeasuredKorialstraszanew.

Ascowlreplacedthecoweringlook.
Theamethystbeastletoutanear-jarringcryandlauncheditselfatthereddragon.
Theotherfollowedonlysecondslater,echoingthefirst’scry.
Lettingoutaroarofhisown,Korialstraszbeathiswingshard.Iridifearedthatthetwoattackers

wouldturnimmaterialagain,but,soclose,theyapparentlyassumedthattheirpreywasdoomed.
Instead,though,thereddragonnotonlystoodhisground,butstruckwithallhismight.

Theheavywingsbatteredthedarkdragons.Onespunback,uprootingtreesandrippingupmore

ground.Theseconddoveheadfirstintothedirt,itssnoutdrillingdeep.

Korialstrasztwistedhisheadaroundtothesecondandbathedhisadversaryinflames.
Theshadowdragon—no,thattitledidnotseemquiterighttoIridi,fortheydidnotsomuch

resembleshadow,butratherthedayturningtonight—shriekedasitpulleditsmawfreeandbelatedly
returnedtoaghostlikestate.Theamethystshimmerincreasedasitshifted.

Twilight!thedraeneithoughtabruptly.Itisasiftheyarelikethetwilightofthisworld’sday….
Then,asavagepawcamedownwhereshestood.Onlytheheightenedinstinctsofoneofherorder

enabledthepriestesstoleapasidebeforeshewouldhavebeencrushedintothesoil.

Iriditurnedthenaarustaffagainstherattacker.Thistime,thebeastreactedtooslowly.Blue

lightningcrackledaroundthefiendishleviathan.Thedragonshrieked.

Thedraenei’shopessurged.PerhapssheandKorialstraszwouldyetdefeatthisunsettlingpair,who

felttohersensessowrongandyetsomehowstillboundtothatwhichshehunted.

Butsuddenlythecrystalceasedglowing.Stunned,Iridiglancedatthetip.
Thedragonagainstwhomshehadfoughtletoutabrutallaugh.
“Yessss!”itcalled.“Feedmemmmmorrre!”
Itlungedather,butIridiknewthatitwasthestaffthatthecreaturesought.Awarewhatpowerstill

layinthegift,thedraeneifearedwhatwouldhappenifherattackerdevoureditsfullessence.

ShewouldhaveturnedtoKorialstraszforhelp,butthereddragonwasindirestraitsofhisown.

Theothermonsterhadnotonlyturnedincorporeal,buthadvanishedbeneaththeancientleviathan.
Korialstraszspunabout,seekingsometrace,howeverminute.

Frombehindhimroseapurplespecter.IriditriedtowarnKorialstrasz,butitwasalreadytoolate.
Thetwilightdragon—yes,Iridifoundthatthenamebetterfitthedreadbeasts—fellupon

Korialstrasz’sback.Theredfellforward,thesuddenweightcatchinghimoffguard.

“Iwillfeed!!!”thered’stormentordeclaredyetagain.However,itdidnotbenddowntobite

throughKorialstrasz’sneck,butrathersankitsclawsintohisbackandwings.

Theancientfliermoaned.AsinisterpurpleauraenvelopedKorialstrasz.
Thedarkdragongleefullyinhaled…andacrimsonglowarosefromthewrithingred,aglowthat

thepurplebehemothimmediatelyingested.Thevampiricbeastinhaledagain,drawingforthmoreof
whatcouldonlybeKorialstrasz’slifeenergies.Despiteclearlytryingnotto,theredfinallyunleasheda
terribleroarofagony.

Korialstrasz’sscaledformbegantoshrivel,asifhewereaflybeingsuckeddrybyaspider.He

scrapedattheair,tryingfeeblytoescapeashisfoeingestedhisessence.

TherewasnothingIridicoulddotostoptheterriblefeasting.Herownpursuerlungedagainather,

nearlysnappingupboththestaffandthedraeneitogether.

Thegroundshookasthedragonbehindhertoreatit.Iridistumbled,thencompletelylosther

footing.Shefellforward,thestaffflyingfromhergrip.

Thetwilightdragonletoutacryoftriumphthatquicklyturnedintooneofchildishfrustrationasit

watchedthestaffvanish.Itcouldnothaveknownthatthenaaru’sgiftwouldsoonvanishwhennotheld
byher.

“Wheerrreisssittt?”thebeastcalled.“Wherrrree?”
Shefeltthemonsterloomingoverher.Inthebackground,Korialstraszcontinuedtomoan.
Therecamefromtheheavensanotherroar,onewhosevibrancystilledallothersound.Thenext

instant,apowerfulforceakintothunderslammedintothemonstermagicallyrippingintoKorialstrasz.
Thetwilightdragonwasbowledover.

TheonenearIridionlyhadtimetoacknowledgeitstwin’sfatebeforeanewdragonalightedonto

it.Thetwilightdragonimmediatelytransformed,yetalthoughitshouldhavethenavoidedthisstartling
foe,thenewleviathan’sclawshungtight.Iridibelatedlynoticedthatthoseclawsglowedthemselves.

“Youliketofightthosewhocan’tfightyou,don’tyou?”snarledthenewcomer.Hisvoice,his

tone,werethoseofamuchyoungerbutmorehot-headeddragon.Fromhimemanatedmagicalenergies
suchasthedraeneihadsensedonlyononetypeofdragon.

“Youwanttofeed?Feedonthis!”
Hisunsettlingfoeshriekedanewasbright,burningenergiespouredoverit.Inthelightofthose

energies,theyoungdragon’sflightwasidentified.

Abluedragon!Iridihadonlyseenonebefore,butthememoryofthatencounterremainedburned

inhermemory.Ithadnotbeenduetoanyparticularfeatbythatpreviousdragon—for,intruth,the
priestesshadonlywatcheditflyby—butrathertheveryessenceofmagicsimplyradiatingfromthe
azurecolossus.Shefeltthatnowfromthisoneaswell,onlyevenmoreso.Youngthisbluedragon
mighthavebeen,buthewieldedmuchpower.

Andheusedthatpowerquitewellnow.Caughtunawareandnowknowingthatitsabilityto

becomeincorporealwasoflittlevaluetoit,thetwilightdragonstruggledtoflee.However,thebluedid
notgiveuphisprize.Hewaseagerforbattle,eagertoventsomedeepfrustrationthatthepriestess
sensedonwhateverenemythathecouldfind.

“Notsofast!”thebluebellowed.“I’mnotdonewithyou,notatall!”
Fromseeminglyoutofnowhere,theothertwilightdragonattackedtheblue.Theyounger

leviathanwashard-pressed,butstillseemedeagerforthestrugglenomatterwhattheoutcome.

Buthewasnotalone.Crimsonpawsseizedthesecondattackerand,makinguseofthemonster’s

distraction,searedthetwilightdragon’swings.

Iridifinallyregainedenoughfocustorecallthestaff,butwasuncertainexactlywhatsheshould

do.Thepriestessdidnotwanttofeedthetwocreaturesmoreoftheenergiesforwhichtheyhunted.She
stoodfrozen,tornbetweenherchoices.

Itfinallybecameobviousthatthiswasabattleofdragons,withnoplaceforapunydraenei

priestess,howeverpowerfulthegiftshehadgottenfromhermentor.Iridisteppedback,onlyprayer
usefultohernow.

Anditappearedthatherprayerswereheard.Korialstraszstoodnexttotheyoungerblue,thepair

alignedasifcomradesofold.Therewasnoargument,onlyaction.Theystruckattheabominations,the
bluetakingtheleadwithKorialstraszfeedinghispowerstohiscomrade.

Thetwinnightmaresshrieked,yettheydidnotflee.Withglowingorbsfullofmadness,they

lookeduponthosewhodidnotfeedtheirhunger,butrathermadeitgrowandgrow….

“Wemustmakethemusethemselvesup!”Korialstraszcommanded.
“Isthatpossible?”askedtheblue.
“Itmustbe!”
Underthemagicalonslaught,thetwilightdragonsreceded.Theirformsgrewindistinct.Their

imageswaveredandtheyfinallycollided.

Iridicheeredsilently.Thecreatureswereallbutdefeated—
Thetwinhorrorsmeldedtogether.
Korialstraszandthebluefellbackindismayandsurprise.
“Thesearehighlyunstablecreatures!”thereddeclared.“Thisisnotrickoftheirs,butourown

powermakingthemevenmoreanabomination!”

“Wewillfeed!”thegargantuanshapeclamored.Withaterrifyinglaugh,itenshroudedthe

defendersinitsextraordinarily-widewings.

“No!”shoutedthedraenei.Sheraisedthestaff,knowingwhatshemustdo.
Asilverlightshotforthfromthecrystal,alightsopurethatitstirredtearsfromIridi.Shegroaned

aseffortweigheddownonher,yetdidnotsurrender.Allthatshehadbeentaughtcametotheforefront.
ShewouldnotfailKorialstraszandtheotherdragon.

Thelighttouchedthehumongouscreature—whichsuddenlysplitbackintoitstwo,muchsmaller

parts.

Fromthefoldsofthegreatwings,theredandbluedragonsfellfree.NeitherKorialstrasznorthe

youngerleviathanappearedabletofocustheirefforts,butneitherdidthetwilightdragonsstrike.A
momentarylullsettledovertheWetlands.

Then,thebluegrowled.Hiseyesglowedandthegroundaroundtheterribletwinsroseup,

churning.Atthesametime,blueboltsoflightningmercilesslybeatatthepair.

Again,thetwinbeastsgrewimmaterial.Thebluestartedtolungeforward,butthetwilightdragons

tooktothesky.

“Wemustnotletthemleave!”Korialstraszshoutedfrombehindhisally.Theancientredroseup

afterthepair,lightingthenightskywithavastplumeoffirethatdidnot,unfortunately,harmhistargets
butdidatleastdistracttheirflight.

Thebluewasrightonhistail.Theskyaroundtheyoungerdragonshimmeredmuchthewaytheir

adversariesdidwhenbecomingghosts.

Butwhateveritwasthathehopedtoaccomplishdidnotappeartohappen.Iridisensedhis

frustration.Whatdidanddidnotaffecttheabominationsremainedaquestionoftestandfailure.

Gasping,thedraeneiproppedupthestaff.Shehadinherenoughforonemoreeffort…soshe

hoped.

Theprayershemutteredwasthefirstthatshehadlearnedwhenjoiningherorder.Itwasdesigned

todrawfromwithinasenseofcompletecalm.OnlyinthatmannercouldIridihopetosurvive.

Thelargecrystalflared.
Thesilversliveroflightstretchedoutintheblinkofaneye,splittingjustbeforereachingthetwo

monsters.Assheconcentrated,thetwonewlightstouchedtheirtargets.

Forasinglebreath,thetwilightdragonsbecamesilver.Theyilluminatedallandwere,intheirown

way,stunning.

Thepriestesstoppled,barelyabletoretainconsciousness.Shecouldwellimaginenowhowthe

reddragonhadfelt,forapartofherhadbeenusedupinthisattempt.

Theshimmeringformsswelled.Wiseenoughtorecognizethatthiswasnotasitshouldbe,thered

andbluehastilydroppedtowardtheWetlands.

Themacabredragonslaughedmadly.Theycontinuedtoswell,noweachnearlyasmassiveasthe

singlecolossusthattheyhadbrieflyformed.

Theywerestilllaughingasone,thenbothexplodedinaviolentreleaseofenergiesthatsweptover

thearea.

Asdeadlyforcesraineddown,avastformdroppedoverIridi,protectingherfromtheirfullfury.

SheheardKorialstraszrumble,“Havenofear….”

TheWetlandsshookviolently…andthenjustasquicklystilledagain.
Iridilaysprawledunderthereddragon’swing,barelyabletobreathe.Shebothheardandfelt

Korialstrasz’sownlaboredbreathingandknewthathehadbeenthroughfarmorethanshe.Itamazed
herthathehadactuallybeenabletostandforsolongagainstthetwoabominations.

Fromsomewheretoherside,sheheardavoicethatwasandwasnotfamiliartoher.“Thedanger’s

passed…”

“Yes,”repliedherprotector.“Ibelieveso,too.”
Ashespoke,thereddragonwithdrewfromIridi.Shetriedtorise,butneededintheendthe

assistanceofastrongpairofhands.

Thosehandsbelongednottotheonesheexpected,butratherahandsomeyouthwhoappearedto

beapproximatelyherage.Therewereelventouchestohislooks,butalsosomethingakintothehumans
whomshehadmet.Hewasdressedlikeayoungnobleoffonahunt,withhighleatherboots,bluepants
andmatchingshirtandvest.

Indeed,bluewasclearlynotonlyhisfavoritecolor,butaverypartofhim,fornohumanorelfof

anytypehadsuchglitteringazureeyes—narrowedinspeculationatthemoment—orshoulder-length
hairofthesamebrilliantcolor.

“You’readraenei,”hedeclaredfinally.“Metacoupleofyourkind,butnofemalebefore.”
“Youare…youarethebluedragon….”Herownstatementsoundedsoobviousthatshewas

ashamedtohaveevensaidit,butcouldthinkofnothingelse.Hermindandbodywerestillbattered
fromherefforts,andifhedidnotcontinuetoholdher,Iridisuspectedthatshewouldhavefallen.

“Iamthebluedragon,”hereturned.Asmileeversobrieflytouchedhisfeatures,lightingthemup,

butthenhelookedtothesideandsomedarkmemoryclearlyreareditshead.Thesmiletransformed
intoascowl.

Ascowlthatinpartappearedaimedatthecowledfigurejoiningthem.
“Miraculousenoughtohavegainedsuchaidinourhourofneed,”thedragonmagecommentedto

hisyoungercounterpart.“Butmoreastoundingisthefamiliarshapeinwhichitcomes.”Hebowedhis
head.“Mygreetings,Kalecgos.”

“Krasus…”Therewasahintofresentmentintheblue-hairedfighter’stone.“Ithoughtthatitwas

you,butcouldn’tbelieveitatfirst.”

“Thefatesapparentlydemandedthatourpathscrossagain.”
“Thefates?Blameitmoreonmylord,Malygos.It’shewhosentmehere…andlikelysensedthat

youwerealsoonyourway,ifIknowhim.”Heshrugged.“Butitstillseemsthatweweredoomedto
crosspaths,yes.”

Krasustookastepclosertohiscounterpart.“Kalecgos!YouknowthatIwantedonlythebestfor

Anveena—”

“Youmaycallme‘Kalec,’”theyouthsaidtoIridiashepurposelyturnedhisattentionfromthe

othermale.“Ipreferitwheninthisform…”

“Kalec…IamIridi.”
“Canyounowstandonyourown,Iridi?”Whenshenodded,Kaleccautiouslyreleasedher.

“Good.”

Krasussoughttointerjecthimselfintotheconversationagain.“Kalecgos—Kalec—itisgoodto

seeyou—”

“Idon’tfinditsogood,”theothersnapped.“ButIcouldn’tstandbyandletevenyoubepreyed

uponby—bywhateverthosewere…”Helookedpastthem.“…andI’venodoubtastowherethey
camefrom.”

“Yes,youngone,theyhadtocomefromGrimBatol.”
“Then,that’swhereI’moffto.”KalecspreadhisarmsandalookcameoverhisfacethatIridi

realizedpresagedatransformation.

ButKrasusseizedthefighter’sarm,adangerousthingifthedepthofKalec’ssuddenscowlwas

anythingtojudgeby.

“Itwouldnotbewisetogoalone,”thedragonmagetoldhim.
“It’snotsosafetoentrustoneselftoyou!”HeleanedintoKrasus’sface.“Yougaveherpeaceand

thenyouallowedittoberippedaway!Youletherlivealieofalife,knowingalltoowellthatitwould
endintragedy!”

“Butithasn’t,Kalec.Youknewwhatshehadtodo…whatshedid.Anveena’sdestinywasalways

written—”

“Don’tyouspeakhernameagain!”Kalecraisedahandandsuddenlyaglowingswordappearedin

it.Thebladelookedsharpenoughtocuttheairitselfandthegriphadbeenmoldedtoperfectlymatch
hishold.

KalecthrustthepointtowardKrasus,lettingithoverjustaninchortwofromthelatter’schest.
Unperturbed,Krasusglancedfromthebladetoitswielder.“Iknowhowmuchshemeanttoyou

andImournthatloss…butAnveenaisstillwithyoualways.Youshouldfeelthatyourself,youngone.”

Iridiremainedperfectlystillasthetableauplayedout.Shewouldhavepreferredthatthisargument

nottakeplaceatall,especiallysosoonaftertheirbattlewiththeabominations,butclearlythis
confrontationhadbeenalongtimecomingandnothingshecouldsayordocouldstopit.

Kalecexhaled.Muchoftheangerdissipated,leavinginitswakeresignation.“Shesaidjustthat

rightbeforeshesacrificedherself.Shewassadandhappyatthesametime.Sadtoleavethegrove…and
us…buthappytoreturnthatwhichshewastothosewhomostneededher.”

RecallingIridi’spresence,Krasusquietlyexplained,“Anveenawasayoungmaidenofnoguile,

onlycare.SheandKalecmetbyaccidentafterIworkedhardtohideherfromtheeyesoftheLichKing
andhisagents,especiallyoneDar’Khan.”

Thedraeneirecalledtheblondhumaninthedragonmage’smemories.Itsurelyhadtobeher.“She

gaveherlifesothatothersmightlive?Anoblefate—”

ThisforsomereasoncausedKalectolaughharshly.“Youdon’tunderstand,draenei!Anveena

neverhadatruelifetogive!Herentireexistencewasaconjurer’strick!”Heagainpointedtheswordat
Krasus,butwithoutanyintenttouseit.“Histrick!Anveenawasn’thuman;shewasn’tevenmortal!She
wastheveryessenceofthehighelves’Sunwell,theirfountofpower!Shewaspuremagicmanipulated
intoplayingatlifesowellthatshethoughtsheactuallybreathed,actuallyhadaheart….”

IridiknewlittleoftheSunwell,thoughshehadhearditmentionedbyothers.Itwasasourceof

tremendousmagicthathadbeendestroyed,thatmuchthepriestessunderstood.Therehadbeenarumor,
however,thatithadbeenrestored…andnowitseemedthatnotonlywasthatrumortrue,buttherehad
beenfarmoretoitthananyonewhohadspokenofitcouldhaveeverimagined.

“Thewilloftheworldshapesusall,”IridimurmuredtoKalecinanattempttosoothehim.Hehad

obviouslycaredmuchforthehumanincarnation.“Andeventhroughsuchadversity,wegrowstronger.”

Theazureeyessoftenedoncemore.“Youwould’velikedher,draenei…andsheyou.”
Iridibowed.

“Iunderstandwhyhe’scomehere,”Kalecwenton,referringtoKrasus,“butwhyyou?”
Thecowledmagealsolookedather.“Thatisaquestionwewereneverfullyabletodiscuss,were

we?WhatisityouseekinGrimBatol,Iridi?”

Shesawnopointinholdingbackthetruth,especiallyasshewasmoreandmoreseeingalinkwith

whathadhappenedtothemandtheobjectofherquest.Theymightnotbelieveher,butshewouldtell
themallthatshecould.

“Iaminsearch…Iaminsearchofanetherdragon,”thedraeneiresponded.
ItwaslikelyrarethatKrasus,attheveryleast,wasstunned.IridiwasnotsurprisedthatKalec

stoodopen-mouthed,buteventhemagerevealedstartlement,ifonlythroughtheraisinghighofone
brow.

“Shehuntsforanetherdragon…inAzeroth!”Kalecblurted.“Buttherearen’tanynetherdragons

inAzeroth!ThosethattriedtoenterweredestroyedbymyflightattheportaltoOutland!Andsince
then,nothingpassesthatwedonottakenoteofevenfromoursanctum…”

Thepriestessshookherhead.“Onesurvivedtheill-fatedcrossing.Isenseditspresence,butcame

uponthesceneamomenttoolate.Acloakedfigurereminiscentofyou,Krasus,foundhimfirst,a
cloakedfigureaccompaniedbymonstrousservants.TheycarriedwiththemwhatIhavedivinedis
calledachrysalunchamber—”

“Achrysalunchamber!”KrasuslookedtoKalec,whonodded.Theybothclearlyunderstoodwhat

theartifactwasand,therefore,whatitcoulddo.

“Themagictheyusedtoshieldthemselvesfromthenetherdragontheyalsousedtoobscurethe

chamberfromthosewhomightnoticeanythingawryinthevicinityoftheportal.”Iridisawinhermind
thevaguevision,thetragicvision.

“Nobloodelfcouldwieldenoughskilltohidefrommykind!”Kalecinsisted.Heopenedhishand

and,aswithIridi’sstaff,thebladevanished.Yet,itwascleartothedraeneithatKalec’sweaponwas
merelyamanifestationofhispower,notatruetool,likehers.“None.”

“Unlesshehadsomeothergreatsource…”Krasussuggested,studyingIridi.Hehadsome

glimmerofthetruth,shesensed,andthefactthatheunderstoodthatmuchimpressedher.

“Therewasasource.”Thedraeneiheldoutherhand,summoningthestaff.Asthelargecrystal

flaredtolife,Iridifeltabriefpangofgriefdespiteallthetrainingthroughwhichshehadgonetolearn
tokeepherstrongeremotionsundercheck.

Kalecstretchedoutahandtowardthecrystal,thebluedragontryingtounderstanditsworkings.

“That’snot…that’snotofAzeroth…Iknow…Iknowitsorigins…now…fromthosecreaturescalledthe
naaru…”

“Fromthenaaruitcame,”sheagreed.“Ihadone.Afriend…agoodfriendhadtheother.They

werespecialgiftsthatwebroughtwithustoAzeroth,touseforthesakeofgood….”

“Whathappenedtotheother?”Krasusaskedinatonethatindicatedthathehadhissuspicions.
“Takenfromthecorpseofmyfriend,”Iridirepliedquietly.“Afterhisslaughter…”
“Andsothat,”thedragonmagemurmured,“isthesourceofpowerthatmadeMalygos’sfar-

reachingsensespaynoheed…andisalsothereasontofearthattheworstisyettocome.”ToKalec,he
asked,“Thiscloakedfigure…thisbloodelf,tobesure,fortherearefewotherthantheywhowould
thinkofthis…wieldsthepowerofthenaaru…”Hefrowned.“Butitgoesfarworsethanthat,ifI
comprehendyoucorrectly,youngIridi.Youhuntabloodelf,wieldingthestolenenergiesofnaaru,who
hasalsotrappedandkidnappedanetherdragon….”

“Yes.”ThepriestessbowedherheadtoKrasus’swisdom.Hetrulydidseethingsastheymustbe.
“Then,thereremainsonlythequestionthatnoneofushasyetspokenbutthatIwilltoputittothe

point.”Krasusmadesurebothofhiscompanionswerelisteningcarefully.“Abloodelfwithnaaru
energiesandanetherdragonashis…justwhat,then,doyouthinkheintendstodowithallthatathis

disposal?Ibelievethatwehavejustmettheanswer…anditmayonlybethebeginningofsomethingfar
worse….”

EIGHT

zerakushimmeredbrightly,butnotbecauseofanyeffortonhispart.Hewasweak,terriblyweak,and

attimeshethoughtthathistormentorswouldfinallycausewhathehadbeendreamingofdoingforthe
pastfewdays.Acreatureofenergy,thenetherdragonwasneartotaldissolution…butthespellsand
magicalbondseverpreventedhimfrombeingcompletelydestroyed.Hiscaptorsneededwhathewas
composedofmuchtoomuch.Theyneededhisessencetoworktheirexperiments.

Mostofall,theyneededhimalmostconstantlytofeedthehungryresultsofthatlastspell.
Netherdragonsknewlittleaboutfear,butZzerakuhadlearnedmuchsincehiscapture.First,there

hadbeenthatterrifyingsenseofclaustrophobiawhen,withoutwarning,hehadbeensuckedintothe
monstrousboxbywhichtheyhadsmuggledhimtothisfarawayplace.Then,therehadbeentheshock
ofdiscoveringthathecouldnotescapethemagicalbonds.

Nowcamethegreatestofhisfears…thathewouldslowlybeeatenalivebythethingthattheirfoul

magichadcreated.

Zzerakuhadbeenusedtosowingfear,notlivingit,andsoitstruckhimharder.Yet,atthesame

time,thatfearalsofedhisrageandhisdesireforrevenge.Giveneventheslightesthope,hewould
destroyhiscaptorsanddevourtheirmagicalessence.

Unfortunately,thusfartherewasnochanceofthathappening.Heagaintestedthestrengthofhis

bondsandagainfoundthemunbreakable.Theagonyhesufferedinfightingagainstthemwasminute
comparedwiththeknowledgethathewouldstillbehelplesscomethenextfeeding.

Unless…
Zzerakuwasacreatureofenergyandthethinghungeredforthatenergy.
Anideaformedinthenetherdragon’shead.Thelogicofitmadehimsmileasbestashisbound

jawscould.

Yes,soontheywouldcometofeedtheircreation…andZzerakunowcouldhardlywait.

Thereweredragonspawnabout,whichpleasedRomtonoend.Heftinghisax,hefoundhimself

satisfiedwithhowwellhewasdoingwithhislefthandalone.Letevenadrakonidorthefoulbloodelf
comeacrosshimnowandtheywouldlearnwhatthewrathofaBronzebeardcouldbelike.

HeknewGrendawaswatchinghimclose.Shewasacapablesecond-in-command,butshewastoo

concernedwithhismoodoflate.Romwasawarethatshethoughthisattitudebecomingmoreandmore
fatalistic,whereasheonlyfeltitrealistic.

Eventhisforaytonightwasnottohertaste.Romhadbroughtthemdangerouslyclosetooneofthe

cavesleadingintoGrimBatol,determinedtofindsomethingthatwouldshowthattheirmissionwasnot

afailure.Thistime,therewouldbenomagicaltrickery.

Thedwarvesspreadoutcarefully.Humansandotherracesthoughttheirkindtoohard-headedto

learnfromtheirmistakes,yetanothermyth.Romhadstudiedthepatrolpatternsofthedreadlady’s
guards,andthistimehebelievedheknewthevariationsthattheymightmake.Therewouldbenoset-
upforatrap,ashadhappenedwhenhehadthoughthehadcapturedtheskardyn.Thesesentrieswould
turnouttobeexactlywhattheywere,notabloodelfindisguise.

ButRomhadanother,morepressingreasonforsuchacloseapproach,oneaboutwhicheven

Grendadidnotknow.Withoneofthecavemouthssotauntinglynearby,Romhopedtosneakinside,if
onlybyhimself.Itwastimetodiscoverthefulltruthaboutthecrieswithinandonlythroughsuch
daringcouldhehopetodothat.

Healsodidnotfeelthatheshouldriskanyonebuthimself.Theobsessionwashisandhisalone.
Thesoftcrunchoffeetmadethedwarvespause.Inonethingtheyhadaneasyadvantageoverthe

dragonspawnandthedrakonid;theywerealreadylowtotheground.Itmadeiteasytodropoutofsight,
especiallyonsuchadarkeve.Theirfoeshadgoodeyesight,butRomwasbettingonBronzebeardeyes
seeingbetterinthedarkness.

Abulkingfiguretrundledintosight,adragonspawnwithshieldandheavysword.Thatitwas

blackwasnosurprise,foritseemedthebloodelf’scompanionhadtiestotheremnantsofDeathwing’s
flight.Yet,thoughthedragonspawnworealsoabreastplate,therewerenomarkingssignifyingits
loyaltytooneparticulardragonoranother.Thedrakonidhadbeenthesame.Nomarkingindicating
Deathwinghimself,noreitherofhismisbegottenoffspring,OnyxiaandNefarian…noranyotherknown
blackdragon.

ButthatwasaminorpointtoRom.Whatsufficedwasthatthesecreatureswerewillingtoserve

thetwospellcasters.Thatwasenough,alongwiththeterriblecries,towarrantgreatconcern.

“Ifitcanbecapturedalive,”hewhisperedtoGrenda.“Somuchthebetter.Ifitneedstobeslain,

that’sgoodalso.Idon’twantanydisasterlikethelasttime.”

Thefemaledwarfgruntedherunderstanding.Shesignaledanotherdwarf.Thebandbegantoclose

aroundthelonedragonspawn.

Then,somethingcaughtthescalyfiend’sattention.Itletoutagruntingcall,whichwas

immediatelyansweredfromjustwithinthecave.

“Down!”Romorderedunderhisbreath.Grendamanagedtoalerttheothersjustasanother

dragonspawnlumberedout.

Romwaitedformoreguards,butthesetwoappearedtobetheonlyones.Agrimsmileplayed

acrosshislips,onehekepthiddenfromGrenda.Thecavelookedmoreinvitingthanever.Two
dragonspawnwouldbetoughtotakeon,butRomhadtheutmostconfidenceinhisseasonedfighters.

However,beforehecouldgivethesignal,whateverhadinitiallycaughtthefirstguard’sattention

nowcausedthatdragonspawntoheadawayfromthedwarves.Romheldhisbreathinfrustrationasthe
four-leggedfiendmovedfromwhatwouldhavebeentheperfectambushspot.Hehadhopedthatthe
secondguardwouldjointhefirstthere.

Withthesecondtrottingtocatchup,thefirstdragonspawnreadieditsweaponasitapproacheda

smallclusterofwitheredoaks.Romtriedtolocateallhisfighters,wonderingwhichofthemmightbe
thereasonfortheguards’intenseinterestinthatparticularlocation.

Anarrowabruptlyseemedtosproutfromtheneckoftheforemostdragonspawn.Asecond,

whistlingboltjoinedthefirst.

Butthedragonspawnonlyshookalittle,then,withasnarl,torebotharrowsfromitsthickhide.

Theotherjoinedit,thepaireagerlychargingthetrees.

Anotherarrowshotatthefirstabomination,anactthatRomcouldonlyseeasfoolhardy.He

changedhisopinionabreathlaterasatall,slimfigureleaptfromthetreesand,evenasthebolt

distractedthedragonspawn,cutthemassivecreaturealongthechestwithablazingswordthatbrought
tothedwarfbadmemoriesofhishand.

Thedragonspawnletoutahissinterminglingpainwithsurprise.Ithadanextremelytoughhide

andthatanyswordcouldcutintoitsoquicklywasstunning.Stilltheguardrecoveredquickly,attacking
itsfoewithaheavyax.

Theax,however,wasnotassturdyasthedragonspawn’sscaleandasecondstrikebytheslim

fightercuttheweaponintwo.Growling,theguardstretchedforwardheavy,clawedhandsasitthrewits
massiveweightupinaclearattempttocrushitstinierfoebeneathit.

Butitlackedtheswiftnessoftheother,whonimblyleaptasideandthenrantheedgeofthe

magicalbladeacrosstheoncomingbehemoth’sthroat.

Thenearly-severedheadflungbackward,makingitappearasifthedragonspawngapedatthe

heavens.Thehugebodywasslowinrespondingtoitsdeath,continuingitschargeforseveralpaces
beforecollapsing.

Theseconddragonspawngapedatthesightofitscomradeslainsodramatically,thenrecoveredas

theshadowyfighterlungedtowardit.Evenasthefirstguard’scorpsefinallyrealizedthatitwasdead,
thetwocombatantsexchangedseveralblows.Whilethisdragonspawn’sweapondidnotglow,it
appearedstrongenoughtowithstandwhatevermagicradiatedfromthenewcomer’ssword.

“Whatdowedo?”askedGrendaanxiously.
Romgrunted.“Wegoandhelp!”
Hewasnotbeingaltruisticinhisdecision.Oncehewascertainthatthebattlewasundercontrol,

thedwarvenleaderintendedtoslipawaytothecave.

Thedragonspawnanditsfoecircledaroundoneanotherandforthefirsttime,Romhadsome

inklingofwhoitwasthecreaturefaced.Oneoftheelvenraces,butitdidnotlooklikeabloodelf.In
fact,whatglimpseshesawresembled—

Thehoodofthefigure’scloakfellback,revealingsilver-whitehairflowingdownwellpasther

shoulders.ThatshewasfemaleRomhadfiguredmomentsbefore.Shewasalsoveryskilledwithher
weapons…asanyhighelvenrangerwouldhavebeen.

Only…therewerenotsupposedtobemanyhighelvesleftatall.
Eveninthedark,heknewtheoutfitshewouldbewearing.Knee-highleatherboots.Forest-green

pantsandblouse,withaform-fittingbreastplateoverthelatter.Overherhandsandextendingtoher
elbowswerethinglovesthatstillallowedhertoperfectlygripthestringofabow,herotherfavored
weapon.

Romevenknewhername,nowthathesawherclose.Itwasanamesearedintohismemory,for

shehadsharedinthestruggletobringdowntheorcsofGrimBatol.

“VereesaWindrunner…”herumbledtohimself.“Aye…GrimBatoliscallinginghostsnow,

too….”

Butshewasnoghost,heknew.Rather,shewasthemateofthewizard,Rhonin.ThatmuchRom

knew.Whyshewashere,though,hedidnotunderstand.

ButdidthatmeanthatRhonin,too,wascloseby?
Theotherdwarvesswarmedthedragonspawn.BetweenVereesaandthem,Romsawthatthe

situationwaswellinhand.Itwasthemomenttomakehismove.

Thedwarvencommanderslippedaway,headingtothecavemouth.Timewaslimitedanditwas

onlyluckthatthesecondguardhadnothadthebreathyettocallforhelp.

Romscrambleduptowardthecave.Asadwarf,hecouldinstinctivelyferretoutthebestplacesto

secretehimself.Then,withcaution,hewouldpushdeeper,untilfinallyhefoundthesourceof—

Hisplanswerecutoffbyanunnervingglowradiatingfromwithinthecave.Romknewwhatthat

glowpresagedandnowwasnotthetimeforaconfrontation.

Swearingunderhisbreath,hespunabout.Theyhadtoretreat,butcouldnotuntiltheyhaddealt

withtheseconddragonspawn.Itwasdownonitskneesbutstillbattlingdespiteseveralobvious
wounds.

Thrustingtheaxhandlebetweenhisteeth,Romleaptaswellasadwarfcould.Helandedatopthe

dragonspawn’sbackend,thenpulledhimselfup.Legsgrippingthemonster’ssides,Romtooktheax
andburiedtheheadintheguard’sback.

Thebladebarelypiercedthescaledhide.Flinginganotherdwarfaway,thedragonspawntriedto

reachbacktoRom.Thegreatclawscamewithinaninchofhisface,butcouldstretchnofarther.

Thehighelfstruckagain,cuttingintothedragonspawn’sthickarm.Thehugecreatureturnedback

tofaceher.

Grittinghisteeth,Romlandedasecondblow.Withtheprecisionoftheveteranhewas,he

managedtohittheexactsamespot.

Theaxsankdeeper.Thick,darkfluidsspurtedout.
Theguardshook.Grendaandanotherdwarfmanagedsmallbutsignificantwoundstoitsflank.

Thehighelfseveredafinger.

Romplantedathirdblowdirectlywheretheothershadlanded.
Thedragonspawngaveashiver,thendropped.Romallbutrolledoff,onlyjustmanagingtocling

tohisweaponashelanded.

“Let’sgetyouawayfromhere!”hequietlyrumbled.
Herlongeyeswidened.“Rom—”
“Thetearfulreunionscanwait’tillater,milady!There’ssomethin’comingthatyoudon’twantto

bearoundfor!”

Shehadsenseenoughtonodandfollow.Aroundthem,theotherdwarvesweremoreperplexed.
“We’rebringingherwithus?”askedGrenda.“Abloodelf?”
“Iamnobloodelf!”Vereesasnappedwithmuchvehemenceforoneofherkind.“Iamandshall

alwaysbearangerofthehighelfpeople!”

“Notimefortalk!”Romgrowled.“Hurry!”
Evenastheystartedmoving,theglowbegantoradiatefromthecavemouth.
“Whatisthat?”Vereesademanded.
Theirleadersworeagain.“Getamoveonit,milady!”
VereesahardlyhadtroublekeepingupwithRom.Indeed,hecouldbarelycatchhisbreath,while

sheseemednotintheleaststrained.

Daringtoglanceoverhisshoulder,Romsawthattheglowhadnowfullyemergedfromthecave.

Thesourcewasastaffwithacrystallinehead.Thewielderwasnoneotherthanthebloodelf.Helooked
around,butnotinthedirectioninwhichthedwarvesandtheirnewcompanionhadrun.

Then,thelandscapehidthebloodelfandhissinistertoyfromsightofthedwarf.Romhadan

inclinationtosloweventhen,though.Thedwarvescontinuedtorunatasgoodaclipastheirshort,
thicklegscouldstand.Eachmoment,Romexpectedtodiscoverthefiendishbloodelfattheirheels,but
onlydarknessmethisanxiousgaze.

Atlonglast,theyreachedwhatRomconsideredsafety.Thehiddenentrancetothetunnelslayjust

afewyardsahead.Withtherangerbesidehim,thedwarvencommandersteppedovertoit.

“RomoftheBronzebeards,”Vereesamurmuredasthedwarvencommandertappedonceonahuge

rockwiththebottomofhisax.Therockslidaway,revealingtheentrancebeneath.

“MiladyVereesa…Iwouldsay’tisgoodtoseeyou,butthere’snothinggoodwhenitinvolves

GrimBatol….”Hegesturedforhertoslidedown.Althoughshewasmuchtallerthanthem,herslim
formeasierfitthrough.

Romdidnotenteruntilthelastofhisfollowershadgonedown.Ashedroppedin,hetookonelast

look.Stillnoglow.Nodding,heslidthestoneinplace.

Vereesa,almostkneeling,studiedthetunnels.“Thereismuchinterferenceinthisregionagainst

magic.”

“Aye,theareaforagreatdistancearoundispocketedwiththesecrystalformations.”
Shetouchedoneoftheglitteringformationsthrustingoutofawall.“Curious.Theylookperfectly

normal…butIhaveneverheardofsuchathinginsuchquantity….”

“Bethankfulit’shere,milady,orthatbeastofabloodelfwould’vefoundusallbynow.”
Shepaidthelastnomindatall,seizinginsteadonanotherpartofhisdirestatement.“‘Bloodelf’!

Youhaveseenhim?HeisinGrimBatol?”

“There’sabloodelfinGrimBatol,aye!Heandthedarklady!They’reboth—”
TherangerkneltdowninfrontofRom.Althoughverymuchenamoredwiththelooksofhisown

femalekind,Romcouldnothelpadmiringherexoticbeauty…andtheterribleconcernbehindit.“Itis
thebloodelfthatIwanttohearabout!”Angerfilledhermusicalvoice.“TothinkthatIwassonear!
But…ithastobetherightone!Haveyou—haveyouseenhimupclose?”

Romletoutaharshlaughandshowedherthestumpattheendofhisarm.“Justbeforeadamned

drakoniddidthis,Iwasasclosetothebloodelfasyouaretomenow….”

“Describehim!”
“Hewasabloodelf!”Thatwasenoughforanydwarf,butVereesaobviouslywantedmore.Rom

concentrated,tryingtorecalldetails.Asbesthecould,hementionedtheshapeoftheface,thetoneof
thevoice,andeventheglowinggreenorbs.Nothingseemeddistinctivetohim,butthemorehesaid,the
morecoldtheranger’sexpressionbecame.

“Thatwillbeenough,”shefinallysaid.Hereyesclosedbrieflyincontemplationbeforeshelooked

againatRomandmuttered,“Itcanonlybehim….”

“Himwho?Youthinkyouknowhim?”Evenasheasked,Romwantedtobitehistongue.Itwas

verypossiblethatsheknewthisbloodelf,fortheirfoulkindhadoriginatedfromthehighelves.They
hadtakenthewaysofdemonstofightdemons—indeed,actuallydrainingthemagicfromthedemons
likeleeches—and,intheeyesofhumans,dwarves,andthosefewhighelveswhohadheldtotheirold
ways,cursedthemselvesforalleternity.Thisbloodelfwasverylikelyanoldfriend,evenacomrade
fromVereesa’sdaysasaranger.Smallwondershewouldbebitterabouthim.

“Iknowthisbloodelf,yes,”shefinallyanswered.“Iknowhimwell.Ihavefollowedhistrailsince

thenightthathetriedtostealawaymysons,GiramarandGaladin….”

“Bythegods!”Therewerenomonstersgreaterthanthosethatpreyedonchildren,soRom

thought,thoughhehadnooffspringhimself.“Yoursons?Buthowcouldanydaretakethechildrenof
RhoninDraig’cyfaill—”Romusedthenamebywhichmanynowcalledthelegendarywizard.
Draig’cyfaill—Dragonheart.“…andyou?”

“Rhoninhasbeenbusyoflate….”Shesaidthiswithoutanyrancor,onlyasfact.“Thereismuchto

bedonetorepairthingsinDalaran.”Thisshedidnotexplainfurther,eventhedwarvesawareofthe
extensivedestructionthere.“Andasforme…thisbloodelfknewinparticularhowtodisguisehimself
againstme.”

“Anotherranger…orusedtobeone,eh?JustasIthought.”
Vereesadidnotlisten,hergazeinward.Inthelightofthetorchesthedwarvesused,hereyeswere

abright,brightblue.“Rhoninsetinplacewardstoguardusfromthosewhomightwantvengeanceor
merelythoughtusadangertotheircause.Thosewardsfacedlittleuseforsometime,andthusIgrew
toocomplacent.”

“Complacent?”
“Yes…complacent.I,aranger,hadcometoenjoymyfamilyandreveledinmychildren.Whenthe

wardsshriekedtheiralarm,Ialmostactedtooslowly.Iburstinandsenthimfleeingjustbeforehecould

spiritthechildrenaway!”

“What—whatwouldhewantwithchildren?”Grendaasked.
“Whatwouldanyseekerofmagicwantwiththechildrenofapowerfulwizardandahighelf?

Childrenwithsomuchpotentialintheirbloodlines?”Romaskedherinreturn,hisownquestionsboth
rhetoricalandfilledwithdread.

Vereesanodded.“Yes,thatwasmythoughtalso…andthatiswhyIknewthateventuallyhewould

tryagain…andwhywehadtohunthimdown,nomatterwhatthecost.”Sheshookherhead.“Withall
thathehasbeendoing,RhoninhasnotsleptanymorethanI.Neitherofuswillrestuntilthisisover.
Ouronlyregretwasthatwefinallyhadtoseparatetofollowdifferenttrails,thoughwekeepintouch
throughthis.”

Shepulledfrombeneathherbreastplateatriangulartalismanwithabluegematthecenter.The

talismanwasattachedtoachainthatletithangfromherneck.

“Thatlooksfamiliar…somewhat.”
“Rhonintooktheoneyouthinkofandaltereditintothisdesign.”
Romgrunted.“Howlongsinceyoulastusedittoreachthewizard?”
“Adayago.”
“Well,itwon’tworkhereforthesamereasonwedon’thavethebloodelfbreathin’downour

necks.”

Vereesafrowned,thenreplacedthetalismanbeneathherbreastplate.“Asmalltroubleandperhaps

thebestthing.Inowknowthatheishere.Zendarinwillpay.”

Romagainheardtheloathinginhervoice.“‘Zendarin’?Youknowhimverywell,itsounds.”
Hersmilewasasgrimashertone.“Betterthananysavemysisters,forhisfamily,too,wasnamed

Windrunner,ashisfatherandminewerebrothers.”Herhandcaressedthehiltofhersword.“And
thoughweareofthesameblood…Iwillputanendtomycousin’sabominablethirstformagic,evenif
itmeansmyownsacrifice.”

“Issomethingamiss,mydearZendarin?”thedarkladyaskedwithaslighttouchofhumor.
“Youmightbeinterestedinthese.”Withthestaff,hepointedataspotneartowhereshewas

studyinganotheregg.

Theoverly-burdenedskardyngratefullydroppedthetwodragonspawncarcassesthatthebloodelf

hadorderedthemtobringallthewayfromwheretheyhadbeendiscovered.Assoonasthatwasdone,
thescalycreaturesquicklyretreatedfromthescene.

“Ihaveseendeaddragonspawnbefore.Youmightrecallthatwehaveaninfestationofdwarves

withwhichyouhaveyettoproperlydeal.”

Heignoredherremark.Withtheglowingendofthestaff,heproddedoneofthecorpses.“This

wasslainbyadwarf…withthehelpofseveralotherdwarves,judgingbythemanyscarsandsmaller
wounds.”ZendarinWindrunnerthenpointedattheotherbody.“Thatwasdonebysomeonewitha
weaponofpower…someonemuchtallerthantheBronzebeardvermin.”

Sheturnedherburntsidetohim.“Andthisisofsignificancetomeforwhatreason?”
“Yousaidthathewasnear,theoneyouwantedtocome!Doesthisnotmeanthathe’sabout?”
Theebony-cladwomanlaughed,amacabresight.“Isthatthebestyouthinkhecoulddo?Mydear

Zendarin,whenhecomes,itwillbeinamuchmoresubtleyetstillmorepowerfulmannerthanthis….”

“Thanwhat—”Hestoppedasshestrodepasthimtoinvestigatetheonebody.Onelong,graceful

handranalongtheareaofthebody,poisinglongestbythethroat.Shesmiledassheopenlyadmiredthe
handiwork.

“Askilledwarriordidthis,”theladyinblackcommented.Herhandsuddenlyglowedred.Itran

oncemoreoverthethroat.“Theylocatedthemostsensitivespotwithease.”

“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Findingabitofthetruth,”shereplied,standingagain.Astheglowfaded,Zendarin’scompanion

heldoutherhandtohim.“Andthetruthisclosertohomethanyoumightthink…”

Zendarindidnotlikeriddlessavewhenhewastheonetellingthem.“Ifyouknowsomething,spit

itout!”

Shegavehimalookthatimmediatelycowedthebloodelf.“Rememberwhoitisyouarespeaking

toandthenconsideryourtonecarefully!ThereismuchinsubordinationfromyouthatIwilltolerate,
buttherearelimitstoevenmyfinepatience….”

Zendarinwiselykeptsilent.Hebowedhisheadinrespect.
“Thatisbetter.”Shegesturedatthecadavers.
Aballofflameeruptedfromherpalm.Itsplitintwoasitflewtowardthebodies.
Thetwosmallerballsstruck.Thecorpsesbecametinyinfernos,burningtoashinmereseconds.
Theladyinblackinhaleddeeplythroughhernostrils,herexpressionfilledwithdarkpleasure.

“Ah,whatafinefragrance,don’tyouagree?”

“Youhadsomeanswerforme?”thebloodelfremindedher.
Withherotherhand,shedismissedtheashes,whichwentflyingoutofthechamber,eventuallyto

descendintotheunusedlowerdepthsofGrimBatol.Intheirwake,onlyonesmallitemremained…an
arrowhead.

“Pickitup.”Whenhehadobeyed,sheasked,“Doesitlookfamiliar?”
Thebloodelfsneered.“Thisishighelven!”
“Yes,butnotjust.Irecognizeit.Youshould,too.”
“Ido…”Heturneditover,studyingthemake.Itdidnotlooklikeanystone,butratherwhitepearl.

Intruth,itwasevenmuchmoreandwouldhaveboreintoitstargetwithgreaterefficiencythanany
mortalarrow.“ThisisThalassianwork.Thesearethemarkofafavoredoftheranger-generalof
Silvermoon!Nobloodelfhelpedslaytheguards,then…asurvivingrangerwashere…”

“Ifindthedistinctionsbetweenpassingphasesofelfirrelevant.”Thedisfiguredwomaneyedhim

closely.“Idobelievethatyouknowexactlywhomightberesponsible.Nowthatisinteresting.”

“It’snothing….”hegrated,tossingasidethearrowheadasifitburnedhishand.“Anditwill

remainnothing….Iwillseetothat….”

“Youhadbetter.Therecanbenothing—absolutelynothing—thatwouldinterfere.”Shelocked

gazeswiththebloodelf.“Youarenotworththatmuchtomydesires.”

Withthat,sheturnedfromhimtostudytheegganew.Zendarinwasfuriousatbeingdismissedlike

someskardyn,butheheldallhisangerwithinamaskofindifference.Besides,therewasanotherupon
whomtoventhisfury.Typicallyimpetuous—asprovenbyhertrystwiththewizardandthepotentially-
powerfulmongrelstheyhadcreated—shehadcometohimratherthanwaituntilhehadtimetoreturn
forherprodigy.

Somuchthebetter,mycousin,Zendarinthoughtashestrodefromthelady’slair.Perhapsyou

havegivenmeadifferentpathtothemagicIcrave,onewithlessdanger,morepersonalpotential…and
noonetobowto…

Then,aroarechoedthroughoutthecaverns.The“child”washungryagain.Theladyhad—without

warningorreasonablediscussion—heldbackwiththefeedings,suddenlyinterestedinstudyingother
aspectsofitsgrowth.However,theyhadbothagreedthatitwouldbefedwellcomethenextevening.
Zendarinhadevenagreedtolendsomeofthepowerofthestafftothatfeeding,toseehowitmight
acceleratecertaindevelopmentsintheircreation.

Alittlelonger…Icantolerateheralittlelonger,hedecided.Then…thenIwillbeabletodealwith

herandyou,mycousin,andnotonlyreapthebenefitsofmytimeandeffortsspentinthisdismalplace,
butalsofinishmyplanswithyourlittleabominations….

Thebloodelfgrinned,hungrynowhimself.Soon,verysoon,hewouldhaveaccesstoenergiesin

suchabundancethathewouldneverfeelthewithdrawalsagain.

Soon…he,too,wouldfeedtohisheart’scontent.

NINE

stheycautiouslyapproachedtheirdestination,IridilearnedmoreofKalecandthetaleofAnveena.

Theyoungbluedragon—likeKrasus,remaininginhishalf-elvenformforlessvisibility—seemedvery
eagertotellher.Iridiknewthatitwasinpartbecauseofherdemeanorandcalling,butalsoperhaps
becausehewantedtotrytohurttheolderdragonwithhiswords.

“Shewasthemostinnocentsoul—yes,soul—onecouldhaveevermet,”Kalecsaidwithawistful

expression.“Noguile.Nopretense.Shewaswhoshewas…evenifshewasn’t,intruth.”Hisgaze
flickeredtoKrasus,whowalkedafewstepsaheadofthem.Theeldermalehadbeensilentsincethey
hadbegunmovingagain.Whetheritwasduetoconcentratinghismagiconprotectingthemorsimply
becausehecouldsaynothingtoassuagehiscompanion’sbitterness,thedraeneididnotknow.

KalecspokeofhisfirstencounterwithAnveena,whohadfoundhimafterdragonhunters—ledby

avengefuldwarfnamedHarkynGrymstoneandpaidbyadisguisedDar’Khan—hadalmostcaptured
andkilledhim.Dar’KhanhadbeenpartofthereasonfortheSunwell’soriginaldestruction,although
hisdesirehadbeensimplytowielditspower.Whathehadnotknownatthetime,though,wasthatthe
swiftdefilinganddrainingoftheSunwellbyhismaster—Arthas—hadnotcausedthetotaldissipation
ofitsenergies.Instead,muchhadescapedand,afteratime,begantogatherfar,faraway.

ButtherecameapointwhenDar’Khanhadfinallysenseditsgathering.Hehadledabandofthe

Scourgetothelocation.

Yet,noonehadrealizedatfirstthatAnveenawasthekey.Atinycreature—astrangecombination

ofdragonandflyingserpent—hadbeenfoundhatchingnearby.Anveenaandithadinstantlybefriended
oneanotherandshehad,intypicalfashion,calledit“Raac,”afterthesoundsitmade.

Althoughhedidnotlookbackorevenslowdown,Krasusfinallyinterrupted.“Aah,Raac.Doeshe

fly?”

“Hevanishedrightaftershedid.Iassumedthathewenttoletyouknowthatyourworrieswere

over….”

NowKrasusdidlook,albeitbriefly.Hisexpressionremainedneutral,butIridisensedthathefelt

morethanherevealed.“IwantnothingbutgoodforallthoseofAzeroth,Kalec…andRaacdidnot
returntome.”

“Hmmph!ThelittleonehadmoresensethanIthought.”
“Raacwasnolongermine.HedesiredtostaywithAnveena.”
Theyoungerdragonscowled.“Hewasn’ttheonlyone.”
“WhathappenedafterRaachatched?”thepriestessinterjected,fearfulthatagreatargumentwould

erupt.Thisofallplacestheydidnotneedtohaverancorbetweenthem.

Kalectoldherataleofadventure,oftragedy,andofhope.Withanotherbluedragon—afemale

namedTyri—theyhadgoneinsearchofawizardcalledBorel.TheirsearchhadbroughtthemtoTarren

Mill,wheretheyweremetnotonlybytheformerpaladin,JoradMace—anotherrecipientofthe
mysteriousBorel’sinterference—butbyDar’KhanandtheScourge.AfterastruggleinwhichTyri
apparentlyscorchedDar’Khantocinders,thethreeandJoradhadheadedtowardAeriePeaktofindthe
cousinoftherepentantHarkynGrymstone,adwarfwiththeskillstoremovethemagicalbands
Dar’KhanhadplacedaroundthethroatsofKalecandAnveena.Afterthat,thepartyhadassumedthat
theirtroubleswouldbeover.

ButthedwarfLoggiwasaprisonerofanothermadcreature,thecunningBaronValimarMordis—

aForsaken.HerecognizedinpartwhatAnveenawasandtriedtousehertomagnifythepowerofan
artifactcalledtheOrbofNer’zhul,afiendishspherethatcouldanimateagiantundead.Withit,Mordis
hadalreadyraisedafrostwyrm,anundeaddragon.

“WebarelyescapedMordisandtheScourge,”Kalecmuttered.“Thanksonlytoataurenofall

creatures.Traggavehislifetostophisformermaster….”

“Andallwaswellthen?”Iridiasked,sensingthatperhapsithadbeenotherwise.
Theblueverifiedherconcerns.“Notintheleast.LoggiwaskilledandAnveenastolen…by

Dar’Khan.…”

ThesupposedlydeadhighelfthendraggedAnveenatowheretheSunwellhadoriginallybeen

located.Theothershadfollowed,butalthoughtheyfoughthardtosavetheirfriend,itprovedtobe
Anveenawhosavedthem.Intheprocess,theyalsoconfrontedthemysteriousBorel,whose
machinationsKalecclearlyblamedformuchofthetroublethathadoccurred.

ThedraeneicouldeasilyguessthetruthaboutthisBorel.“Thewizard…hewasyou,wasn’the,

Krasus?”

“Ofcourse,hewas…hehasathousandnames,athousanddisguises!He’sinterferedsinceatleast

thefallofthenightelvesmorethantenthousandyearsago!Hedoesnothingbutinterfere—anddamn
anyonewhomightbecaughtupinhisintentions!”

Krasusturned.Althoughhisfaceremainedemotionless,hiseyesburned.Iridiinvoluntarilytooka

stepbackandevenKalecwasstunnedintosilence.

“Irememberthenamesofeverybravehuman,elf,dwarf,tauren,earthen,orc,dragon,and

individualsfromotherraceswhomIhavebeenforcedtoneedthroughoutthecenturies!Irecallalltheir
facesandthemannersbywhichsomanyofthemperished!EachtimeIsleep,thelitanyplaysinmy
dreamsandImourntheirbravesouls!”Theaircrackledaroundthedragonmage,anunconscious
reflectionofmillenniaofpent-upemotions.“Andifmylifecouldbringthemallback,Iwoulddoit,
Kalecgos!Makenomistakeaboutthat…andremember,amongourkind,toomanyofthoselostwere
myverysonsanddaughters….”

Krasus’sshouldersslumped.Thetwomalesfacedoneanotherandthepriestessfeltasifsome

unheardconversationpassedbetweenthem.Then,theelderdragonturnedforwardagainandcontinued
thetrek.Kalecremainedstillamomentlonger,finallywalkingwithIridibehindhiscounterpart.

Thedraeneimadenomentionofaconcerntheconfrontationhadnowcreated.Theywerealready

ingreatdangerofbeingnoticedandtheargumentbetweenthedragons—especiallythepotentenergies
arisingfromit—hadonlymultipliedthatdanger.Shecouldnotspeakup,though,forfearthatthepair
wouldonlystartanewontheirdifferences.

TherewassomuchthatIridistillwantedtoknowconcerningKalecandhisdeepdevotionto

Anveena,especiallywhathadhappenedwiththempriortoher“sacrifice.”However,notonlywasitnot
properforhertopressonthepoint,butshe,too,neededtofocusontheirjourney.

ButKalecapparentlycouldnotkeepinhismemories,evenifhenolongerpunctuatedthemwith

rancortowardthereddragon.

“Ireturnedtomykindafter…afterAnveena,”hemurmuredtoIridi.“ButIcouldnotstandthe

caverns.Everythingwassocrampedtogether.I—Icausedmorethanonefight,andbluedragonsdonot

justusetoothandclaw,weusemagic.ItfinallycametomylordMalygos’sattentionandheknewthatI
couldnotstayamongthem,anylonger.Itwasalmostfatethatthismissioncameup…fateoracurse.”
HestaredatKrasus’sback.“IknowwhathappenedtoyourpeopleassignedtoguardGrimBatol,
Korialstrasz.Whateverliesbetweenus,Ipraythatthoseyouhelddearestwerenotamongtheoneswho
sufferedmost.”

“Yourconcernisappreciated…and,yes…somewere.”
Kalecwouldhavesaidmore,butIridisuddenlytensed.Shefeltaresonancewithwhichonlyshe

wouldhavebeentrulyfamiliar.

Someonewasusingtheothernaarustaff…andforareasonthepriestessunderstoodalltoowell.
Shetriedtodismissherown,butitwastoolate.Thelargercrystalflaredbright,butnotduetoany

focusonherpart.

“Whyareyoudoing—”Kalecbegan.
Thestaffstruggledinhergrip.Shefeltitssoliditylessen,asifitweredissolving.Itwasallthe

priestesscoulddojusttomaintainbothaphysicalandmentalholdonhergift.Iridididnotevendare
directenoughconcentrationtowarntheothers.

However,Krasusunderstoodatleastpartofthetrouble.“Kalec!Heseekstobringherstafftohim!

Wecannotpermitthat!”

Theyoungfighterseizedthestaffwithonehand.Aroundhimthereformedablueaura.Kalec

grittedhisteethasheforcedthatauratospreadtothenaaru’sgift.

Butthecrystal’sownaurasuddenlyflaredbrighterthanever.Itengulfedthebluedragon,wholet

outascreamandfellback.

Atthesametime,thestaffnearlypulledfree.Iridistrained,usingallhermentalandphysical

trainingtokeepitwithher.

Krasusplacedahandonhers.Thetall,robedfigureclosedhiseyes.Theauraengulfedhimasit

hadKalec…butthedragonmageonlygrunted.Thedraenei,whoknewtheforcesinplay,marveledat
thestaminaKrasusyethadconsideringallthathehadbeenthrough.

Acrimsonglowbegantoovertakethecrystal’saura.Inseconds,notonlydidKrasusforcethe

battlebacktothestaff,buthiseffortsgainedforIridithemomentumthatsheneeded.Nowbetterableto
concentrateherstrength,thedraeneijoinedwiththedragonmagetocutoffthebloodelf’sinsidious
attempttodoublehisill-gottengains.

Andthen…theattackceased.Withsimultaneousgasps,thepriestessandKrasusrelaxed.
“Thank—thankyou,”Iridimanaged.
Krasuslookedherover.“Youarewell?Youhavecontrolofthestaff?”
“Yesandyes.”Forgoodmeasure,though,shedismissedthestaff,sendingittothatplacethatonly

thenaarutrulyunderstood,thatplacefromwhichonlyshecouldsummonit.

Orsothepriestesshoped.Iridihadnotexpectedthebloodelftobeabletoattemptwhathehad

nearlysucceededindoing.Sheknewfromothersthathiskindwerenotnecessarilyspellcasters,buthe
apparentlyhadexcellentskills…orfartoomuchpurloinedmagic.Whicheverthecase,thedraeneiknew
thatshehadbeenverycareless.Ifalone,Iridiwouldhavenowbeenbereftofthenaaru’screation.

Andverylikelydead.
HerconcernsshiftedtoKalec,whowasjustrising.HeeyedKrasusandher,thengrowledtothe

former,“Nothingiseversimplearoundyou,isit?”

“Itwouldbemyfondestwishifforonceitwouldbe.”
Thepriestesssteppeduptotheyoungerdragon.“Letmeseeyourhand.”
“I’mfine,”heinsisted,showingthepalmtoher.Thelastofatremendousburntareawasjust

healingitself.“Yousee?Nothingtofear.”

ButIridiwasnotconvinced.Shetookhishandinhersandtouchedthepalmgentlywithherfinger.

Kalecwinced.“Whatdidyoujustdo?”
“Ididnothingbutlocatethepointofentryofthestaff’senergies.Iwillneedamomenttodeal

withthis.”

“ButIhealedit.”
“Youhealedthephysical,butindoingso,youletsomeoftheenergiesbetrappedwithin.You

don’twanttoletitspread.”

Withafreehand,thepriestessagainsummonedthestaff.
Kalecstartedtopullback.“Youaregoingtousethat?”
“Causemayalsobecure,soitiswritten.Allwillbewell.”Shedidnotaddthatsuchwouldonly

bethecaseassumingthatthebloodelfdidnotnowtryagain.“Please.Bepatient.”

Kalecgrimacedbutlethertouchtheheadofthestafftohispalm.Tohisfurthercredit,hemadeno

protestwhensheprickedtheareainquestionwiththecrystalhead.

Thecrystalbrieflyflared.
Asmalltendrilofenergyakintothecrystal’saurarosefromtheopeninginthepalm.
“Bythelordofmagic!”Kalecbreathed.“Ineverfeltthatwithin…”
“No…”wasallthedraeneireplied.Asthetendrildisappearedintothecrystal,shepulleditback.

“Youmayhealtheopeningyourself,ifyouwish.”

Hedidso.Atthesametime,Iridioncemoredismissedthestaff.Onlywhenitwasgonedidshe

breatheeasier.

“Whatnow?”askedKalec.
Asifinresponse,somethinghowled.Somethingnotallthatfarfromthem.
Somethingthatreceived,fromwhatseemedeveryotherdirectiontothedraenei,ananswering

howl….

Zzerakugrewimpatient.Henowhadaplan,butnotyetanopportunityinwhichtoimplementit.

Thesorceressandtheelfthingwhopanderedtoherhadforegonetheusualfeedingsfortheircreation.
Zzerakuhadallbutgonemadwaiting.

Then,hesuddenlyrealizedthathewasnotalone.Theotherwasshieldedfromthesightofthe

skardyn—ashehadfinallylearnedtocallthescalylittlevermin—butnotfromhispowerfulsenses.Of
course,therewasnothingthathecoulddowiththatknowledge,boundashewas.

Ashadowmovedbeforehiseyes,onethatflickeredinandoutofexistence.Eversobriefly,it

wouldtakeadistinctform.

Theelfthing.Thebloodelf.
ThecreaturecalledZendarin.
Youcanseemeonsomelevel,theshadowmarveled.Howunique!Thestaffispowerful,yetyou

canseeme…toapoint,thatis.

Thenetherdragontriedtothrustthevoicefromhismind,foritaggravatedhisthoughtsasasharp

pinshoveddeepwouldsurelyaggravatethefleshofthebloodelf.

Now,now,mylittlefriend,Zendarinmocked.Thiswon’ttakelongandit’llbejustbetweenthetwo

ofus,eh?

ThatinterestedZzeraku.Hehadsensedtheother’spersonalambition,couldevenappreciateitto

anextent.

Letusseewhatcanbesiphonedoffofyou…
Intheshadow,Zzerakuglimpsedtheoddstaffthatheknewwasnotofthebloodelf’smaking.

Evenitsglowwasinvisibletotheskardyn.Thebloodelfwasdefinitelynotdoingsomethingthatthe

ladywouldlike.

It’scloseby,histormentorcontinued,butmoretohimself.Inearlyhadit,buttheothersinterfered.

Ineedmore…andIthinkthatyoucangivemethat….

Asthenetherdragonhadexpected,Zendarinwantedtoalsofeedfromhim.Thestaffwas

powerful,butevidentlynotenoughforwhateverpurposethebloodelfhadinmind.

Zzerakuhidhisglee.Perhapshecoulddowiththisoneashehadplannedtodowiththeircreation.
Theshadowmovedcloser.ThecrystalpointedtowardZzeraku.
Suddenly,Zendarinspunaround.Withacursethatjoltedthenetherdragon’smindasifitwere

thunder,thebloodelfslippedaway.

Amomentlater,theonlybeingwhotrulyfrightenedthenetherdragonglidedintothecavern.The

skardynquicklydroppedtotheirknees.

“So,mypreciouschild,”thedarkladycooed,“andhowareyou?”
Shedidnottrulyexpectananswer,asZzeraku’smawwassealedshut.Unlikethebloodelf,she

madenoattempttotouchhisthoughts,althoughhewasnotallthatcertaintheywerekeptfromher,
regardless.

“Haveyouregainedyourstrength?Iwantyouniceandstrong!Youwanttobeniceandstrong,

don’tyou?”

HertonesentshiversthroughZzerakuandmuchofhisearlierconfidenceslippedaway.Thenether

dragonwasalmostcertainthatthefemaleknewhisintentionsandtoyedwithhim.

“Zendarin!”
Thenetherdragondidnotexpectthebloodelftorespond—hedidnotexpectthebloodelftoeven

havestayedinthevicinity—butZendarinsurprisedhimbystridingintothechamber.Hisexpression
wasallinnocence…oratleastasmuchinnocenceasoneofhiskindcouldpossiblydisplay.

“Iwasjustlookingforyou,”thebloodelfremarked.
“Lookingforme—orlookingoutforme?”
“I—”
SheturnedherravagedsidetoZendarin,muchtothenetherdragon’srelief.Someoftheshivering

eased.Some.

“Weareinaverydelicateperiodhere,Zendarin.Youareawareofthat?”
Heactedoffended.“Ofcourse,Idoor—”
Thebloodelfshriekedashisbodysuddenlyburnedasifonfirefromwithin.Hisbloodfeltlike

moltenlavaandZendarinexpecteditatanymomenttoburstthroughhisflesh.

Hedroppedtohisknees.Thestaffappearedinonehand,but,ifhethoughttouseitsomehow,he

nevergotthechance.Itslippedfromhisgraspand,indoingso,vanishedagain.

“Itmakesyouwanttotearyourskinofforbleedyourselfdryjusttoescapethetorture,doesitnot?

Butyoucanneverescapeit….Icanneverescapeit….”

Thebloodelfrolledonhisside,clawingathischest.Shewatchedhimforanotherminute,then

gesturedcurtly.

Thepainabruptlyceased.Zendarin,sweatbathinghisbody,stoppedgroaningand,afteratime,

managedtocatchhisbreath.Hepeeredupattheladyinblack,noguileinhisfacewhatsoever.

“Areminderwasinorderhere.Thelastreminder.Youhavebeenofferedmuchbyme,butmostof

all,youhavebeenofferedapathtoafountofenergysuchasyourmiserablekindcanonlydream.”

Thebloodelfwiselysaidnothing.
“Iknowhowmuchthatpurloinedtoyofyoursmeanstoyou,”sheadded,likelyspeakingofthe

staff.“AndIsense,asyoudo,thatamongthoseapproachingisonewhocarriesitstwin.Hownice,you
nodoubtbelieved,toaddittoyourcollection….AmIcorrect?”

Zendarinmanagedaverycautiousnod.

“Well,iftheother’stoybecomesavailableintheprocess,itisyourstoclaim…butIwillnot

condoneanyinterferenceinmydesires.”

“I—Iwouldnever—”
“Thinkcarefulofyournextwords,ZendarinWindrunner.Youhavealreadygonefarin

disappointingme.Ihatedisappointments.Mysonanddaughterwerequitethedisappointments….”

“Youwillnotbedisappointed.All—allwillgoasyouwish,mylady….”
Shesmiled,asightthatshookbothnetherdragonandbloodelf.“ThatisallIask…all…”
ShewhirledonZzeraku,whowantedtohidefromher.However,herwordswerestilldirected

towardthebloodelf,whohadwiselynotmoved.

“Still,yourinfantileattempttotakethatothertoyhasgivenmetheinformationIneedonhim.The

timehascometomoveinthatregard.YoumaybeinterestedtoknowthatRaskisalreadyouthunting,
withapackofskardyn,ofcourse.I’vealsomadeuseofyourlittlepet.”

ThiscausedZendarin’sgazetonarrow.“Ofcourse…Isaidthatitwouldbeavailablewhenyou

neededitforhim.”

“Sogladyouapprove,”shereturnedwithopenmockery.“Ithoughtyoumightbesurprisedthatit

obeyedmewithoutyourpermission…”

“Ofcoursenot…”
Theveiledsorceressclappedherhandstogetherinsatisfaction.“Shallwegopreparefor

company?”HerdreadsmileturnedonZzeraku.“And,afterthat,aproperfeeding.Thepoordearis
growinghungry.Veryhungry…”

Shedepartedwiththebloodelfintow.Herpartingwordsleftthenetherdragontowonder

whether,likeZendarin,theladyinblackwasjustasawareofhercaptive’sintentionsandhadwarned
himthat,whateverhedreamedhecouldaccomplish,hewassorelymistaken.

And,ifthatwerethecase,therewasnohopeforZzerakuwhatsoever….

TEN

hehowlswerelikethoseofnohound,thoughtherewasinthemthatsamesortofbestial

determinationtohuntdowntheprey.Tothosewholistenedveryclose,theyweremoreakintothe
voicesofmen…ordwarves.

TheskardynracedalongthelandscapeofGrimBatol,moreanimalthanthinkingcreature.They

hoppedalongthejaggedground,movingwithfarmoreswiftnessthantheirstockyshapeswouldhave
leton.Otherscrawledupandovertherocks,evenclingingtotheundersideastheysearchedforprey.

Witheagerness,theysniffedtheearth,theair,whatlifetherewasaroundthem.Theyknew,

throughboththeirmistressandtheirhuntmaster,whereexactlythepreyhadlastbeenlocated,butthere
wasalwaysthechancethatotherintrudersmightbenear,suchastheBronzebeards.Theskardynhada
specialinterestinhuntingdowntheirdistantcousins,ifpossible.

Afterall,Bronzebeardsmade,forthem,goodeating.
Whetherontwolegsorallfourlimbs,whetheronthegroundorclamberingalongtherockface,

thewildpackquicklycoveredthedistances.Notfarbehind,asmallbandofdragonspawnkeptpace.
Theywerenotthehuntmasters,merelythehandlers.Thatpositionbelongedtotheforemostofthedark
lady’sscalyservants,thedrakonid,Rask.

Raskwasaslargerthantheothersofhismonstrouskindashewasmorevicious.Yet,healsohada

quickmindforadrakonidand,insomeways,amorecunningonethanevenabloodelfordwarf.He
knewthingsofhismistressthatevenZendarindidnotand,becauseofthose,heobeyedhercommands
withsomethingapproaching…worship.

Withasmuchbloodlustastheskardyn,heledthedragonspawnunderhiscommandinsearchof

theprey.Hismistresshadtoldhimwhattoexpectand,despitetheimmensityofhismission,Raskwas
onlytooeagertoconfronttheintruders.

“Move…”hegratedatthenearestskardyn,emphasizinghisimpatiencewiththecrackofawhip.

“Findthem….”

Theskardynscamperedon.Theywereclosenow.Veryclose.
Raskturnedtothedragonspawnnearesthim.“Thesignal…”
Theguardgavehimasavagegrin,thentookthetorchhewascarryingandwaveditthreetimes

towardtherearofthehunt.

Ashimmeringformbrieflymaterialized,thenvanishedagain.
Rasknodded.“Good…”Hecrackedhiswhipatanearbyskardyn.“Wehavethem….”

“Thereisnolongeranyreasonforpretense,”Krasusdeclaredgrimly.“Whatweseeknowactively

seeksus….”

“Mustyoueverstatetheobvious?”Kalecremarkedwithsomelingeringenmity.
Krasusignoredhim,insteadspreadinghisarms.Thecowledfigurebegantransforming—
Butwithasuddengroan,hedoubledover,stillverymuchlookinglikesomevariationofelfand

notintheleastlikehistrueidentity.

AsIridileapttohisaid,Kalecbeganhistransformation.UnlikeKrasus,hesufferednosetbackas

hewentfromfightertodragon.

“Keeptheoldonesafe!”thebluedragonordered.Hetooktotheair.
ThedraeneiknewthattherewassomemistakeinlettingKalec—orKalecgosnow—go,butKrasus

againneededher.Sheleanedoverthefallenfigure,tryingtoseewhatshecoulddo.

“Thisis…allplanned,”hegasped.“Thisweakness!Thiswas…begunlongbeforeIcamehere….”
“Whatdoyoumean?”thepriestessaskedassheranherhandsafewinchesabovehisbodyin

hopesofsensingthesourceofhisagony.

Tohersurprise,heutteredaharshlaugh.“Who—whoelsewouldtheyexpecttocomeinsearchof

thetruth?Theblues…yes…becausetheyaretheguardiansofmagic!But—butmoreso,theywould
expectme!”

Iridicouldmakesenseofneitherhiswordsnorhispain.Shethoughtthatshesensedsomething

nearhismidsection,butitwastoovagueasensation,asifeitherverysmallorverywellmasked.

“Nevermindme!Donotlet—donotletKalecgotothem!Istillhavethemeanstoturntheirplans

againstthem!Ineedonlyamomentmore!”

Shelookedup.Itwasalreadytoolatetosummonthebluedragonback.IriditoldKrasusthat.
“Youngfool…”Thedragonmageletoutanothergasp,thenseemedtorecoversomewhat.“Iwas

merelycaughtbysurprise.Ifheonlycouldhavewaited…”

Ashespoke,Krasushelduponeglovedhand.Init,Iridibeheldatinygoldenshard.Itwasboth

beautifulandyetsomehowawfultobehold.

“Ofallplaces,”Krasuscontinued.“GrimBatolistheonlyoneinwhichIwoulddreamofusing

eventhis,forsurelyitmuststillhaveatietotheevilwithinthedreadmount.”Hestraightened.“Iregret
onlythatKalecmightagainsufferwhenheshouldnot.”

Hisentireframeshook.Hiseyesrolledupintohislids.Iridiatfirstthoughtthathewashaving

someconvulsion,butthenthedraeneirealizedthathewascastingaspellofpotentandverydangerous
power.

“Inadditiontotheorcs,therewere,inthepast,otherdragonshere,”intonedthelankyspellcaster.

“Andamongthemwasthedarkestofthedark.Icalluponthatvilememorytostrengthenthisspellnow
—”

ButwhateverKrasusintendedneverhadthechancetocometofruition.Instead,thegolden

fragmentturnedasuddenblack.

Krasushissedinpainand,despitehisbestefforts,finallyhadtoletthesharddrop.Asitstruckthe

ground,theshardresumeditsoriginalcoloringandglow.

Thepriestessimmediatelyreachedforit,buthercompanionshouted,“No!”
Herfingersdidnoteventouchthefragment,butsuddenlythedraeneiexperiencedajarringshiftin

perspective.Shesawtheshadowsofdragons—hundredsofdragons—surroundingherlikeghosts.
No…notghosts…butmemories…

Then,theimagepast,andshewasagainbackwithKrasus…onlytheywerenolongeralone.
Fromalloverthelandscape,squat,bestialcreaturesthatlookedalmostlikedwarvesbutwere

scaledlikereptilesandoftenranonallfoursattacked.Assomeneared,theystraightenedandremoved
fromtheirbackswickedpikesorwhips.

Krasusgesturedtowardthenearest.

Onthecreature’sforehead,adisconcertingruneflashedinandoutofexistence.
“Thatsymbolshouldbeknownbynoonehere!”thedragonmageblurted.“Noonesave—”
Hegotnofurther,foralashwrappedaroundthehandthathadgestured.Thedwarvennightmare

wieldingittuggedhard,onlytogruntinsurpriseasKrasusreadilykepthisground.

“Iamnotsoeasyatargetasthatevennow,”hehissedathisattacker.Withincrediblestrength,he

usedbuttheonehandtopullhisunsuspectingfoeforward…andintoanotherjustlunging.

Iridi,meanwhile,kickedoutatanothercreatureseekingtograbherfromtheside.Asthatone

tumbledback,shestruckanotherattheneckwiththebaseofherhand.

Apikeshotpastherhead,missingbyinches.Asitswielderpulledbackforasecondattempt,she

followedKrasus’sexampleandgrabbedpartofthelongpole.Utilizingthebeast’sownmassagainstit,
thepriestessthrewhimupandoverher.

However,thewindinglashofawhiptuggedthepikeawaybeforeIridicouldmakeuseofit.

Undaunted,shesummonedherstaff,prayingonlythatwhoeverhadtheotherwouldnotchoosenowto
tryagaintosummonittothem.

Toherside,Krasusfoughtwithallthehandskillofoneofhercalling,buttheveryfactthathehad

todosowasofgreatconcerntothepriestess.Herewasadragonofclearlytremendousmight,yethe
couldneitherbecomehimselfnorusehisinherentmagic.

Thatmadeherwonderwhatshecoulddo.Ifthesecreatureswereimmunetospellsduetotherune,

thenthestaffwouldonlybeasgoodasherabilitytouseitasaphysicalweapon.

ButstillIridipointeditatthenextonetochargeher.Sheconcentrated….
Thescalydwarffrozeinmid-lunge,hishorrificmouthstillopeninpreparationforabiteintoher

flesh.

Startledbyhersuccess,thedraeneialmostignoredanevenmoremonstrousfoeapproaching.It

resembledinbasicshapeoneofherownkindorevenahumanorelf,butlookedasifoneofitsparents
hadbeenofKrasus’sorKalec’srace,althoughasblackasmidnight.

“Him!”ithissed.“Themistresswantshim!Theothersaretoslay!”
Iridifocusedthestaffonthedrakonid.
Atremendousbellowrockedtheskyabove.
ShelookeduptoseeKalec,astrangegrayauraaroundhim,plummeting.
Krasuspulledherback.“Go,draenei!Iwillfendthemoff—”
Then,hestiffened.Thebloodseemedtodrainfromhisalready-palecountenance.Hestruggledto

keepupright.

“Nomageslayerhassuchpower!”hesnapped.“No—”
Thesamegrayauraovertookhim.Heletoutagroan.Yet,asheteetered,thedragonmagethrusta

handtowardthepriestess.

“Isaidleave!”
TheworldaroundIridivanished.

Itwasdifficulttocontainthehighelfinthetunnels,andnotbecauseofanyclaustrophobiaonher

account.Rather,Vereesachafedatnotbeingabletorushoutandclaimthelifeofhertreacherous
cousin.

“Hemuststepoutonoccasion!”sheinsistednotforthefirsttime.“Ineedbutonewell-placed

arrowtofinishwhatmustbefinished!”

“And’tismorelikelythathe’llfinishyoubeforeyounotchthatarrow!”Romargued.“He’slikeno

bloodelfI’veseen!He’shungerin’formagic,aye,buthe’sgotplentyalreadytotossatyouoranyone

else!He’sgotthatstaffItoldyouabout,plusapetmageslayer!”

“Iamnowizardlikemyhusband;thatwouldhardlyaffectme!”
“You’venotseenthismageslayer!Somethin’sbeendonetoit,andIlaythatblameonthedark

lady!”

Hereyesnarrowed.“Youhavespokenofthispersonbefore!Whatisshe?Anotherbloodelf?A

humansorcerer?”

Theveteranwarriorpulledouthispipe,moretocalmhisnervesthantosmokeanyofthefoulstuff

hehadonhand.“Don’tknowmuchabouther,butI’vehazardedaguessortwo.She’srealpaleand
whatfeaturesshehaslookmaybehuman,maybeelf,maybeamix.”

“Ablendingofthoseracesisrare,asIcanattestfrommysons.Whatdoyoumean…‘what

featuresshehas’?”

Romrecalledthelasttimethathehadseentheladyinblack.Ithadbeenfromafortunatelylong

distance.“Shewearsaveil,butitdon’thidethefactthatonesideofherface—bythebeardofmy
grandfather,mostofthewholedamnedsideofherbody—wasatsomepointburntrealbad!”

“She’saForsaken!”oneoftheotherdwarvesinterjected.
“She’snoForsaken,”counteredtheirleader.“There’slifeinher,eventhoughitlookstobeinthe

formofmadnessandevil!”

Rhonin’smatemulledthisover.“Doesshehaveaname?”
“Nonethatanyofushasheard.Theyalltreatherlikeshe’saqueen—andanastyone,atthat.

There’sfearintheskardyn—”

“Skardyn?”
“OncedwarvesoftheDarkIronclan,soitlookstobe.Morebeastthanthinkingcreature.They’ve

becomescaledlikethedragonspawnandwilloftrunonallfours.”

“Theirbite’spoisonous,”Grendaoffered.
“Notpoisonous,butit’llmakeyousickbecauseofthefilththeyeat.Don’tcarewhetherit’srotting

orraw,theskardyn.”

Vereesanodded.Fromherexpression,Romcouldguessthatshewascomparingtheskardynto

someofthechangesinherownrace.Finally,shesaid,“Whodoyouthinkthissorceressis?Whatisshe
doinginGrimBatol?”

“Me,thebestIcanguessisthatshemightbefromDalaran,butthat’sjust’causeIknowshe’sgot

magic.Asforwhatshehasinmind,ifitinvolvesthedreadmount,thenit’snothin’good,astheroars
willattest.”

Hehadalreadytoldheraboutthecries,eventheonesthathadsavedthemfromthebloodelf’s

trap.Vereesashowedsomeinterest,butonlywhereverZendarinwasconcerned.

“Icannotjustleavehimbe!”sheblurtedagain.“Iwillnot!”
Romgroanedatherobsessiveness,eventhoughhesharedthattraitfartoomuch.
Oneofthesentriesslippedinamongtheothers.
“Rask’soutonthehuntforsomethin’!”theexcitedguardcalled.
“What’dyouhear?”Romdemanded.
“Himshoutin’atapackofskardyncombin’atraillikeabunchofwolves!There’reatleasttwoor

threedragonspawnwith’im!”

Thedwarvencommanderrubbedhisbeardedchin.“Raskdon’tgooutunlessthatlady’sgot

somethin’specialinmind.He’shertoplizard,theonlyonewhodon’thavetolistentoyourcousin,if
hedon’tfeellikeit…”

“WouldheknowwhereZendarinwouldbelocated?”
Romswore.“Mylady!Goin’afterRaskrightnowwouldbeasfoolishasgoin’afteryourcousin!”
“Thenwhatisyourpointinbeinghere,Rom?Thosethatmostmightshedlightonwhatyouclaim

yourmissionseemtoomuchathreattofight!”

Shebitherlipthemomentshefinished,obviouslyapologeticforheroutburstandthe

condemnationinit.Silencefilledthetunnels.

Tappinghispipeagainstthenearestwall—andonlyrealizingthenthathehadnevergottenaround

tofilling,muchlesssmoking,it—Rommuttered,“You’venotsaidanythingthatI’venotsaidtomyself.
I’vebeenhesitant,yes,becauseofsomeofthedebaclesofearlier,butthetimeoutwhenweranacross
you,Iwasplannin’togointoGrimBatolmyselfandthere’snolie.”

Grendaallbutjumpedupanddowninfury.“Iknewit!Iknewtherewassomethinginyourmind

—”

“Quietthere!Keepscreaminglikethatandyou’llbringtheskardynallthewayhere!”
“WhowouldthisRaskbehunting?”Vereesademanded.“Whoelseisoutthere?”
“Didn’tthinktherewasanyoneelsebutusuntilyoushowedup—andthatwasyouwhosavedme

earlierwiththatblazingbolt,wasn’tit?”

Therangernodded,onlyhalflistening.“Rhonin?CoulditbeRhonin?Hemaybedanger!”
Romdidnotlikewherethiswasgoing.“Thewizard?Hewouldn’tbehereand,besides,he’sa

powerfulonethatladis!”

“Perhaps…perhapsnot.”Sheturnedtowardtheentrance.“Hehasbeenstraininghimselftoassist

mewhilestillguidingDalaran’saffairs.Heneverthoughttobeincommandofthelatter,butthey
turnedtohimindesperation.Wearinessishisgreatestenemy…andyouyourselfsaidthatthis
mageslayerisalsonotlikethosehehasfoughtinthepast.”

Withsomereluctance,thedwarfagreed.“It’sastrongone….”
“Imustgo.”Shepushedthroughtheotherdwarveswho,uncertainastowhatRomdesired,did

nothing.

Heletoutanepithet.Stuffingawaytheunusedpipe,hecheckedhisax.“Don’tjuststandthere,”

RomgrowledatthewarriorsnearestVereesa.“Youthinkshe’sgoingoutalone?”

TheotherdwarvesletoutalustycryandfollowedVereesaup.Romgrimaced,feelingtootiredto

fight,butalsotootirednotto.Hedidnotquiteunderstandthefeelingandgaveuptryingtothinkit
through.Whatmatteredwasthattheywerealreadyheadingoutagain,anditwasuptohimtoseethat
theothersdidnotgetkilled.

Andthatnowincludedtheranger.
TheguardwhohadearliergivenwarningofRask’shuntwasalreadyshovingthestoneoutof

place.Heclimbedup,Vereesanotfarbehind.

Therecameanoathfromabove.Theotherfightershesitated,alleyesontheentrance.
Rompushedhiswaytothefront.“Whatisit?Dragonspawn?Thebloodelf?”
Theymadewayforhim.Despiteonehand,Romeasilyscrambledup.
Hegaped.Thisisdefinitelygettingtoocomplicatedforanolddwarf….
Abodylaysprawledonlyyardsfromthetunnels.Yet,itwasnotanydragonspawn,drakonid,nor

evenbloodelf.Infact,Romwasnotquitecertainwhatitwas,wrappedsowellinawidecloak.

Vereesakneltbesidethepronefigure.Withmuchcaution—forhereofallplacesastillformcould

easilybeatrap—therangerturnedthebodyover.

Itwasfemale…andnotintheleastwhatanyonewouldhaveexpected.Eventhehighelf,whowas

surelymorefamiliarwithotherracesthantheBronzebeards,wasobviouslystartledbywhattheyhad
found.

Butatleastshecouldgiveitthenamethat,forthemoment,escapedRom’smind.
“Adraenei?”

KrasussawnosignofKalec,theyoungerdragon’simpetuousnessverylikelydoinghimin.Still,

Krasuscouldnotfaulthiscounterpart,forhewasnotfaringmuchbetter.

Themageslayermaterialized,utilizingablinkabilityofwhichthedragonmagewasveryfamiliar.

Whathewasnotintheleastfamiliarwithwerebothitsdurability—hismagicshouldhave
overwhelmedtheelemental—butalsohowthatmagicwasalsothrownbackathimwithanintensityno
mageslayerhad.

HenowknewwhatitwasthathehadconfrontedmuchearlierwhensendinghismindintoGrim

Batol.Atthetime,Krasushadhadsomesuspicions,buthehadbeenunabletocompletelyacceptthe
truth.

Now,thetruthwasclosinginonhim.
Themageslayerwasatranslucent,purple-blueshadewithvaguehintsofspikesorsomethingelse

sharpjuttingfromwhereitsshoulderswouldbeandafearsome,almostavianhead.Twoblazingwhite
orbsweretheonlythingstrulydistinct.Attimes,itseemedtohavearms,butothertimesnothing.

Butwhateveritstrueform,itwasnomageslayerasKrasushadevercomeacrossintheannalsof

Azeroth.Therewaspowerfulmagicinitsalteration,verypowerful.

Aspowerful,say,asthatofablackdragon?
Couldthisbe…couldthisbeDeathwing’sdoing?Krasuswondered.Afterall,therewereboth

drakonidanddragonspawnoftheblackflightinvolvedinthisinfernalattack.

Hestumbledback,seekingsomedelaywhileheplannedforthisunforeseenabomination.Apairof

thescalydwarvesimmediatelyattacked,butalthoughhecouldnotfightthemdirectly,atleastnowthe
dragonmageknewhowtohandlethevermin.

Heopenedhismouth,thelipsandjawsstretchingfartherthanmortallypossible.Fromhisgullet,a

burstofflamesstruckthegroundinfrontofthedwarves.

Thegroundexploded,flames,rock,andearthrisingup,thenshoweringdownonthecreatures.
Alashstruckhimhardonthearm.Krasuswinced,butthepainwasminor.Heturnedtoconfront

thedrakonid.

“So,yourmasterlives,doeshe?”Krasusdemandedofthefiend.
Thedrakonidonlylaughed.HelookednotatKrasus,butbehindhim.
Thedragonmagereactedinstinctively,buthisreflexesweretooslow.Hehadkeptaneyeonthe

mageslayer….Onlywhathethoughtwasthemageslayerwasnowonlyanafterimage,aresidueof
whereithadformerlybeen.

Andnowitstoodrightbehindhim.
Again,itscreamedinhisheadthatthiswasnotthewayamageslayerbehaved.Someonehadgone

togreatlengthstomakeitfarmoreinsidious.

Hecouldnottransform,buthecouldstillcast.Takingacuefromhissuccesswiththedwarven

creatures,Krasusfocusednotonthemageslayeritself,buttheelemental’ssurroundings.

Yet,beforehismagiccouldaffectthegroundandtheair,Krasusfelttheforceshewieldedtwist

fromhiscontrol,insteadpouringintothemageslayer—andrightbackattheircaster.

Socloseandagainstsuchanunexpectedextensionofthemonster’sabilitytoabsorbspells,Krasus

hadnochancetoshieldhimselfagainsthisownmagic.Hewasstrucksohardheflewintotheairand
batteredagainsttherocks.Ashelanded,thegroundexploded,anotheraspectoftheattackwithwhich
hehadintendedtoatleastdistractthenearbyelemental.

Again,Krasuswastossedabout.Undernormalcircumstances,nothingthathefacedwouldhave

donehimmuchharm….ButtherewasnothingnormalwhereGrimBatolwaseverconcerned.

Helandedonhisback,stunnedbeyondhisbelief.Hehadbeencareless,verycareless.Worse,he

hadbeenguidedlikeabulltotheslaughter.

Thedrakonidlookedoverhim.TheblackfiendheldoutaclawedhandtoshowKrasussomething

heldwithin.

Thoughhisvisionwasblurred,thedragonmagerecognizeditimmediately.Itwasatiny,golden

shard…butnotthesameshardthathehimselfhadearlierwielded.

Thedrakonidgrinnedwider.Hislongredtonguedartedinandoutashecheerfullysaid,“The

mistresshasbeenexpectingyouforalong,longtime….”

ELEVEN

ridiopenedhereyeswide.Sherosetoasittingposition,crying,“No!Don’tsendmeaway!”

OnlyaftershefinishedscreamingdidshenoticethatshewasnolongerwithKrasusortheyoung

blue.Instead,thepriestesslayinatorchlittunnelsurroundedbydwarves.

No…dwarvesandamorefamiliarform.
Certainthatshewasaprisoner,thedraeneisummonedthestaff.Yet,evenassheraisedit,the

elvenfigureseizedherwrist.

Iridileapttoherfeet…ortriedto.Thetopofherheadstruckthelowceiling.Stunned,shefell

back.

Thesilver-hairedfiguregrabbedthestaff,onlytowatchinamazementasitvanishedinhergrip.

“Whatsortofmagicisthis?”

“Onethatyou’llnotaddtoyourarsenal,bloodelf—”
“Useyoureyesandcallmenotbysoaccursedanameasthat,draenei!”theotherfemalesnapped.

“Iamofthehighelfpeople….”

ThedifferencesfinallyregisteredwithIridi.Shehadmetothersofthatraceandberatedherselffor

nothavingimmediatelynoticedthedifference.Theeyesaloneshouldhavetoldherotherwise,forthere
wasnoevilgreenglowhere.

“Ahighelf…forgivemeformyoutburst.Myteacherswouldbedismayed.”
“Youareapriestess,then.”
“Itrytopassforone,youmean,”thedraeneirepliedwithsomeregretforherdeficiencies.
Thehighelfshruggedoffsucharemark.“IamVereesa.ThedwarftoyoursideisRom,leaderof

thesefighters.”

“Mylady,”thesquat,olderdwarfgrunted.
Iridieyedhimlongerthanshouldhavebeennecessary,butonlybecauseshebegantonoticethat

Romwasnotasoldashelooked.Then,realizinghowimpoliteshewasnowbeingtohim,thedraenei
lookedaway.

“Andyourname?”Vereesaprompted.
“Iridi.”
“WhyareyounearGrimBatol,Iridi?”
“Icameinsearchof—”Thepriestessstopped,recallingthelastthingthathadhappenedbeforeshe

blackedout.“Krasus!No!Theyneedmyhelp!Whereare—”

Thehighelfseizedherbeforeshecouldcontinue.“Whatdidyousay?Whatnamedidyoujust

call?”

“Krasus!Wewereattackedby—byscaled,dwarven-lookingbeasts—”
“Theskardyn!”Romgrowled.“Theonesweheard!Theywereafteryouandyourfriend,eh?”

“Nevermindthat!”Vereesainterjected.“Yousaid‘Krasus’!Tall,pale,ofsomeunidentifiable

elvenlookandwitheyesthatspeakofanagefargreaterthanhisappearanceevenjustifies?”

Iridinodded.Rom’sbrowwrinkleddeep.“Thename.I’dforgottenit.Itcannotbe…”
Therangerleanedclosetothedraenei.“Andfromyourowneyes,Icantellthatyoualso

understandwhathetrulyis….”

“Yes.”Thepriestesssaidnothingelse,hergazeshiftingsurreptitiouslyfromVereesatothe

dwarvesandbackagain.

Thehighelfevidentlyreadherthoughts.Inalowvoice,shesaid,“Rom,I’vealreadysaidfartoo

much.Canthethreeofusspeakaloneforamoment?”

“Offwiththelotofye,”Romorderedtheothers.“You,too,Grenda.You’veallgotduties,haven’t

ye?”

Vereesawaiteduntilthelastofthefightershadgone,thenquietlysaidtoIridi,“Itisbestthatyou

keepyourvoiceverylowevennow.Soundtravelswellintunnelssuchasthese,anddwarvesarevery
nosy.”

Thelastwassaidwithaghostofhumor.Romchuckledatherremark,butdidnotdenyit.
“So,isittrue,mylady?”hefinallyasked.“IsthisKrasustheoneandthesamemyoldmemory’s

stirredup?Thatwouldbetoofantastic!”

“‘Fantastic’istheappropriatewordforhim,Rom.Idonotrecallhowmuchyouknew,butyou

knewquitealot.”

“KrasusoftheKirinTor,”hereturned.“And,aye,Iknowhimforwhatelseheis…thered

dragon.”

“Theothers…wouldanyofthemknow?”
“Noandwe’llbekeepin’itthatway.You’vemypromiseonthat.”
Vereesafrowned.“Yousoundandlookdifferent,Rom.TherearechangesIdonotunderstand.”
“Ifyoumeanmyspeakin’,foratimeafterIwasaskedtobeliaisontoyourfolkandsomeofthe

humans.Triedtolearntheirmannerbetter.Beenawayfromthatforawhile,sonowmywordsslipback
andforth.Sometimes,IwishedI’dstayedwiththattask,maddeningasitwas.”Hegesturedathisface.
“Andifye—ifyoumeanmyappearance,I’llblameGrimBatolonit.I’vebeenpoisonedbyitfromtoo
muchtimespentfurrowingaroundthedamnedmount.I’venotpointedthisouttotheothers,butagood
numberofthosewhofoughttofreeitfromtheorcshavepassedoverearlierthantheyshould’ve.They
allagedquicker.GuessIwasjustamorestubborncuss,butit’seatingatme,theevil.”

“Youshouldnothavecomeback.”
“Icouldn’tletanyoneelsecomeinmyplace….”Hewavedanangryhand.“Butthat’sneitherhere

northere!IfKrasus—Korialstr—Krasusisaround,thenwe’llfinallybeabletoputanendtowhatever’s
stirredupGrimBatolagain!”

Iridihadstayedsilent,butmorebecauseherheadhadbegunpounding.Now,though,sheusedher

studiestofocusthatpainaway…andfinallysaywhatsheshouldhavesaidearlier.

“KrasusandKalecareindanger!Thereweretheskardynanddragonmen—”
“Aye,Raskthedrakonidandsomedragonspawn,tobesure…”
“ButtherewasalsosomethingKrasuscalledamageslayer….”
Vereesadidnotseemconcerned.“Amageslayershouldbelittletroubleforhim—”
ThepriestessrecalledKrasus’sconcern.“Therewassomethingdifferent….AndKrasussuffered

fromsomeotherinjuryorailmentthatseemedmagicalinnature.”Nowshehadtheirfullattention
again.“Healsoseemedtosuspectwhatpowerwasbehinditall.Heseemedveryfamiliarwithit,from
thewayheacted.”

“Gimmel’sblood…”Romblurted.HisgazemetVereesa’s.“Yedon’tsuppose…”headded,

momentarilyslippingbacktohisolderwaysofspeechagain.

“Itcannotbe!”sherepliedwithequaldismay.“Although,perhaps…no!”
“What?”thedraeneidemanded.“Ofwhatorwhomdoyouspeak?”
Thedwarfusedhisstumptorubhischeek.“That’sright,ye—youaren’tfromhere…oranywhere

onAzeroth.Youmightnotknowtheblackbeast.”

“Theblackbeast?Thedragonmenwereblackofscale….”
“Aye,fortheywerecreatedtoserveonemasterandtheirpresenceonlyfuelsthepossibilitythat

he’saliveandbehindthis.”

“Ablackdragon?”Thepriestesshadneverseenorheardofoneintheshorttimethatshehadbeen

onAzeroth,butitmadesensethattheywouldexist.“Ishesodeadly?”

“Notjustdeadly,”Vereesaallbuthissed.“Butdeathitself.”
“Aye,”concludedRom,lookingoffintohisdarkestmemories.“Aye…itmaybeDeathwing’salive

andreturnedtoGrimBatol….”

NightmaresassailedKrasus,mostofthemtiedtomemoriesbetterleftlost.Herelivedagainthe

captivityofhisbelovedqueenandmate,andhowtheyoungsheboreafterwardwereforcedinto
servitudebytheorcs.Krasussawreddragonsperishinbattle,usedlikehoundsbytheirslavers.

Otherimagesmixedin.Therewasadarklyhandsomenoble.DemonsoftheBurningLegion.A

gatheringofthegreatAspects…

SomeofthememorieshadnottakenplaceatGrimBatol,butallweretiedtoitinonewayor

another.Krasustriedtoawaken,butcouldnot.Hefelttooweak.Thenightmares—thememories—had
theirwaywithhimwithoutregardtohissuffering.

Then,thefoulvisionsfaded,onlytobereplacedbyasensethathewasnotalone…whereveritwas

hisbodylay.

“Youdon’tseemlikemuch,”remarkedasnidevoicethatfinallystirredKrasustowardwaking.

“AndIcan’tfathomjustwhatbranchofourkindyoupretendtobelongto….”

Ajoltranthroughthedragonmage.Heletoutahowlandhiseyessnappedopen.Unfortunately,

throughthemKrasusatfirstsawlittlebuthisowntears.

Hetriedtomovehisarmsandlegsandfoundthembound.Merechainsshouldnothaveheldhim,

butanincredibleweaknessalsofilledthecaptive.

“Aah,you’reawake.”Thefigureloomingoverhimwasabloodelfwithasadisticgrin.“Much

better.Itriedtobeverygentle.Afterall,weshouldbefriends….”

Krasus’sgazeshiftedtothestaffthebloodelfheld.ItwasvirtuallyidenticaltoIridi’s,andatfirst

hefearedthatshehadalsobeencaptured.However,thenherecalledwhathehaddone,sendingherto
theoneplaceinthevicinityofGrimBatolwhereshemightbeatleastforamomentsafe.

ButthesamecouldnotbesaidforeitherhimorKalec.
Theyoungblue,alsochained,laynexttohim.Kalecwasstillunconscious.Helookedlikethe

warrior,notthedragon,andKrasushadhopethatperhapstheircaptorsdidnotyetrecognizewhatthey
were.

Unfortunately,thebloodelfquicklycrushedthatslimhope.“Soyouareadragon…bothofyou,I

mean…fascinating.Thisputsadifferentslantonthings.”

Krasushadnotimeforminions.“Whereishe?Whereisyourinfernalmaster?”
“‘Master’?I,Zendarin,havenomaster….”ThebloodelfshiftedthestafftowardKrasus’schest.

“…Andyou’dbewisetospeakwithmorerespecttoonewhooffersyouhope….”

Thedragonmagelookedathimwithnewinterest,butthenthebloodelfglancedbehindhim.
“Thatdamnedtimingofhers…”hemuttered.Thebloodelfraisedthestolenstaff…andturnedto

shadow.

Krasus’shighersensesstillallowedhimtoseeatraceofthebloodelf,buthegavenosignasthe

murkyfiguredisappearedfromthechamber.AlonesaveforKalec,Krasussurveyedhissurroundingsin
thehopeoffindingsomequickescape.

Hefoundonlywhathesuspectedthereasonforhisweakness.Asinglegoldenshardhunghigh

above,welloutofphysicalreach.Thespellthatkeptittherewasacleverone,forKrasusknewwell
whatforceswererequiredtomaintainthelevitationofthatparticularpiece.

Otherthantheshard,thechamberwasunremarkable.Itsaidsomethingfortheconfidenceofhis

truecaptor—thebloodelfhadalreadyverifiedindirectlythathewasnottheoneincontrolhere—and
alsoofthatmysteriousfigure’sidentity.

Yet,somethinghehadsaidalsoconfusedKrasus.Justpriortohisflight,thebloodelfhad

mentioned“her,”nothim.

Her…
“Onyxia…”thedragonmagebreathed.Yes,heknewhiscaptornow.Somehow,theprime

daughterofDeathwinghadsurvived.Everythingmadeperfectsensenow,savehowshehadmanaged
thatlastfeat.

Ofcourse,shewasherfather’schild.Notonlyhadshetakenuphiscausebyraisingneweggsin

herlair,locatedinthesouthernpartsoftheDustwallowMarsh,butsheresurrectedhisroleasamember
ofthePrestorline,takingontheguiseofLadyKatranaPrestorinStormwindinordertotrytokeepthe
Alliance’sleadershipfragmented.

However,shehadeventuallyoversteppedherself,herplotagainstKingVarianWrynnturningback

onher.Intheend,heandabravebandhadtrackedherbacktothemarshand,thoughitcostmanylives,
slewher…orsoeveryonehadthought.

ItwasverypossiblethatshehadbeencunningenoughtofoolVarian.Onyxiaandherbrotherhad

beenamongthemostcleverofdragons,evenifthatgeniushadbeenmisdirected.Nefarianhadeven
managedtotakehisfather’sandsister’sworktosomefruition,creatingthechromaticdragons.True,
hiseffortshadendedoncehe,too,hadbeensupposedlyslainbybravefighters,butifOnyxiahad
learnedfromhim,itwouldexplainmuchofwhatwasgoingoninGrimBatolnow.

Agruntingsoundcaughthisattention.Oneofthedwarvenabominationsscurriedinsideasiftosee

iftheprisonerswerestillthere.Krasuswasrepulsedbythecreature.Seenupclose,itwasevenmorea
twistedmixofdwarfanddragon,makingeventhedrakonidanddragonspawnhandsomeby
comparison.

ThethingrushedupnexttoKalec,lookinghimoverinahungrymanner.Krasushadnodoubtthat

itwascapableofeatingalivingbeingaliveanddoingsowithrelish.Hesummonedwhatstrengthhe
hadandstaredatituntilitlookedhisway.

Theruneburntintoitsforeheadflaredbright.Withachompingofteeth,thecreaturefledfromthe

chamber.

Krasushadnotexpectedhisweakspelltowork,buthehadwantedtoatleastfrightenawaythe

thingbyattemptingsomething.Thatplanhadworked,butitnowlefthimweakerthanever.

Andmoreatthemercyofthedamnedshard.
Then,hesensedanotherpresenceapproaching.Therewasnomistakingwhatitwas,notthis

close…

Intothechambershestrode,aqueenbeforeslaves.Throughagauzyveil,shepeereddownat

Krasuswithmildamusementinherexpression,butgreatsatisfactioninherburninggaze.

“Itrustyouarewell?”shepurred.HerattentionwenttoKalec.“Andwhoisthishandsomeyoung

blue?Suchanaddedpleasuretoreceivebothofyou….”

Krasusfrowned.ThiswasnotOnyxia.Hecouldsensethatwellenough.Yet,everythingshe

radiatedbespokethedreadblackflightandOnyxiahadbeenoneofthefewknownfemalesleft.

Sheturnedherfacetotheside,thebettertodisplaytheravagedpartofherface.Krasus,aware

howtheinjurieswereareflectionofwhatshewouldalsolooklikeasadragon,imaginedthelatter
vision.

Andonlythendidherecognizehiscaptor.
“Youaredead….”MoredeadthanevenOnyxiaorheraccursedbrotherNefarian.Moredead,

certainly,thanhehadbelievedevenDeathwing.

Theladyinblackgaveathroatychuckle.Shedrewbacktheveil—whichwas,intruth,asmuch

illusionastherestofhercurrentappearance—sothatherburntcountenancewasutterlyvisible.

“HaveInotchanged,then?”shemocked.“Afemalelikestothinkshe’skeptherbeautyevenafter

solong….”

“Youcouldneverchange…yourevil,thatis…Sintharia.”
“Sintharia…longhasitbeensinceanycalledmebythatname.I’vecometoprefertheoneI’ve

usedinthisform…Sinestra…asithasnothingtodowithmydarling,unlamentedmate….”Thefemale
dragonleanedoverhim.“Howlonghasitbeen,mydearKorialstrasz?Fivehundredyears?Athousand?
Howlongsincewelastenjoyedoneanother’scompany?”

Hedidnothidehisenmity.“Fivehundredorfivethousandyearswouldnotbeenoughtimetopass

beforeIwouldwillinglylookintoyourface,Sintharia!ThemarksofyourlovingNeltharionhavenever
healed,havethey?Theystillburn,dotheynot,fromyourlastmating?”

Sinthariawasmorethanmerelyablackdragon;shehadbeenDeathwing’sprimeconsort,the

motherofthemostfoulofhisline.OnyxiaandNefarianhadnotgainedalltheirmenacefromthemad
Earth-Warderalone;Sinthariahadbeenverymuchhermate’spartnerinmuchofhisplotting.

Butshewasalsosupposedtobedead.Krasusrecalledthattimeaswell.Ithadbeenclosertoa

thousandyearsthanfivehundred,atimeperiodwhenthequestionofDeathwing’sdemisehadalsobeen
animportantone.Sinthariahadbeenverymuchalive,though,andshehadstrivedthentospreada
contagiousspellamongthemagiofDalaranthathadeffectivelycausedthepowersofthoseinfectedto
ceaseworking.Krasushadbeenintimatelyinvolvedinputtinganendtothatplotand,intheprocess,it
hadappearedasifSinthariahadperishedwhenherownmagichadbeenturnedonher.

But,asever,thedragonmagethoughtbitterly,thelineofNeltharionprovesmorecunningthan

death….

Thefemaledragon’smacabreappearancewasnotduetothatincidentnoranyotherplotinwhich

Sinthariahadparticipated.AsKrasushadindicated,herhorrificburnsweretheresultofnothingless
thanhermatingwiththealteredEarth-Warder.AsthedarkmagicsanddarkermadnessofNeltharion
hadtakenoverhim,hehadphysicallychanged.Hisbodyhadburnedcontinuously,burnedsohotthat
evenhisownkindcouldnotbearhisnearness,muchlesshisgrip.

Sinthariawastheonlyoneofhisconsortsknowntohavesurvivedthosematings,sotospeak,

thoughhersavageburnsclearlystillfesteredafterallthesecenturies.Theyhadperhapsbeen
responsibleforgivingheramadnessequaltoherlord’s.Certainly,evenKrasuscouldnotimaginethe
torturesthroughwhichshehadgone.

Butwhateversympathyhemighthavehadforheronthatonepoint,itdidnotintheleastenable

thedragonmagetocondoneallelseshehaddone.

“Youcouldnotimaginetheagonyofthosetimes,theburning,theconstantburning,”sherepliedto

hislastcomment.AhandKrasusonlysawnowwasasburntasthefacetouchedtheruinedcheek.“It
stillburns….”

“Anddespitethat,youstillworktoseehismaddreamofaworldcleansedofallbutdragonsloyal

tohismemory?OrshouldIsay,dragonsloyalonlytoyou?AreyounowtobeAzeroth’snewgod—or
goddess,Ishouldsay?Sintharia,mistressofarenewedblackflight…”

Herexpressionturnedtooneofdisdain,butnotforhim.“YouwillrefertomeasSinestra,not

Sintharia!Ihaveshakenoffthatfoulpast!NonewblackflightwillruleAzeroth!Theblackflightis
dead,andnooneshallmournitlessthanme,Korialstrasz!ThereisnothingofitwhichIcherish,least
ofallmyunlamentedlord’smemoryorourill-begottenchildren!Theyareallanathematome—
Onyxia,Nefarian,oranyelsewhohavemanagedtosurvivehisfoolishplans!”Sintharia—orSinestra,
Krasuscorrectedhimself,thinkingofhercurrentformaseparateone,ashedidhisownguise—laughed
athispuzzledlook.“WhyshouldIcareoftheblackflight…whenIcanbirthintothisworldafarmore
worthyflight,anewbreedofdragonswhotrulywillbecomegods?”

Krasuspausedbeforeanswering.Whenhedidspeak,itwaswithmorethanahintofsarcasm.“Yes

—Sinestra—wehaveseenyourresults;forgods,theyperishquiteeasily.”

“Afirsttest,nomore.IftherewasanythingworthwhileinpoorNefarian’spatheticattemptsin

BlackrockSpire,itwasthenotionhehadattheend—butwasunabletofollowsufficientlythroughon
—thatnewmagic,notmerelybloodandwhathealreadycouldwield,wasneededforasuccessorflight.
New,uniquemagic.Ihavenowfoundthatmagic….”

“Anetherdragon…”
“Oh,verygood,Korialstrasz…”sheteased,continuingtousehistruenamedespiteherdistastefor

herown.Theladyinblackbentdownsothatherfacewasonlyinchesfromhisown.“Verygood…a
pitywewereneversoclosethatwecouldhavebeenmore.AlthoughyouandIbothknowhowstrictly
dragonflightskeeptotheirownwhen…shallwesay‘mingling’?…itisduemoretotraditionand
prejudicethanbecauseitcannotbedonebetweenthoseofdifferingflights…”Whenhesaidnothing,
sheshrugged,thenstraightenedagain.“Onewayoranother,IwillhavefromyouwhatIdesire….”

“Howlonghaveyoubeenexpectingmetocomeuponyourdarkdeeds?”
“Howlong?MydearKorialstrasz,Iplannedonitfromthebeginning!Theredflightistheessence

oflife!Whatbettertostimulatethecreationofmyperfectchildrenthaninstillinthemsomeofthat?”
SinestraglancedatKalec.“Actually,thereisananswertothatquestionandyouhavekindlybrought
himtome!Theessenceoflifeandtheessenceofmagic!Iwillbeabletocreategodsnow,thankstothe
bothofyou….”

Thedragonmageshookhishead.“YousayyouhavecometohateDeathwing,butyoumusttruly

adorehimtoembracehisinsanitysoeagerly….”

Shegestured.Krasusgroanedaswhatfeltlikeapartofhimseemedmomentarilyrippedaway.
LadySinestraloweredherhand.Ashesatthere,gasping,thefemaledragoncalmlyreplied,“You

havesufferedpainforsometimenowasIworkedtosoftenyouforyourcaptureandthusmakeiteasier
todrawfromyouwhatIneed.Youwillsuffermore,mydearKorialstrasz,andtherewillbenothingyou
candoaboutitsavebegmetobekind….”

“Thisis—isnotended,Sinestra!AsNefarianfellvictimtohisobsession,so,too,shall—shall

you!”

“Byyourhand,perhaps?Youknowwhatfloatsaboveyou,whatyouyourselfhavesecretly

employeddespiteadeclarationbytheAspectsthatalltracesofitbeforeverburiedfromthesightofall.
Youknowthatthereisnothingyoucando,foreventhoughtheforcesitcontainedwhenwholehave
returnedtothosefromwhichtheyweretaken,theshardsallstillwieldresidueofthatpower.”

Sheturnedtoleave,dismissinghimasifhewerenothing—which,Krasusknew—mightbethe

verytruth.

“Restupnow,dearKorialstrasz….Ishallhaveneedofyouandyourfriendbeforelong….”
Andshelefthimsittingthere,staringfirstattheentrancetohisprisoninthewakeofher

departure,then,finallyatthetinyshard.Itwastruethathehadplayedwithdarkmagicinsecretingthat
oneotherpieceinhissanctum,defyingevenhisbelovedqueenwithhisinterestinit.Now,Krasus
knewthat,inasense,hewasinthisdirestraitbecausehehadfallenvictimtoitsseductiveevilandhad

believedthathecouldcontrolit,useitasasecretweaponagainsttheenemyhehadthoughthefaced.

ButnoteventheslightestfragmentoftheDemonSoulwaswithoutdanger…andbecauseofitsvile

natureandhisownhubris,itwasverypossiblethatbothheandKalecwouldperishforthesakeof
Sinestra’smadness….

TWELVE

hebeautiful,sun-blondmaidensmiledatKalec,herarmsbeckoningtohim.Hereachedforher,but

eachtimehethoughtthattheirhandswouldtouch,sheseemedjustalittlemoreoutofreach.

Frustrated,Kalecchargedtowardher.Yet,althoughsheclearlywantedhimtocometoher,he

neverquitemadeit.

Anveena…hecalled,thoughhismouthdidnotopen.
Then,otherfiguresmaterializedaroundher.Atall,noble-lookinghumanmale…whoseskinwas

rotting.Thatghostfaded,becomingtheshadowofahuge,skeletaldragon…afrostwyrm.Then,even
thatvanished,tobereplacedbyahigh-elvenfigurewearingflamboyantalbeitdarkgarments,including
awide-brimmedhat.

Kalecpointeddesperatelybehindher,tryingtoletherknowofanyofthefearsomeshadows,but,

especiallythisone.

Anveena…it’sDar’Khan!It’sDar’Khan—
“It’sDar’Khan!”heroared.
“Kalec!”Krasus’svoicecutthroughtheremnantsofhisnightmare…enablinghimtoseethatthe

wakingworldwasnobetter.

TheywerechainedtightinanundergroundchamberthatsurelyhadtobepartofGrimBatol.He

glaredathiscompanion.“So,onceagain,thegreatKorialstraszhassavedtheworld…orcouldIbe
mistaken?”

Thedragonmageshowednooffenseathisremarks,insteadasking,“Dothosedreamscome

often?”

Kaleclookedaway,notwantingtodiscussthematter.However,theothercaptivewouldnotletit

go.

“Howoftendoyoudreamofher,Kalec?”
HewhippedhisheadbacktoKrasus.“EverytimeIsleeporamunconsciousforotherreasons,

suchasnow!Doesthatpleaseyou?”

Krasusshookhishead.“No.”
Theyoungermaleexhaled.“We’reinGrimBatol,aren’twe?IsitDeathwingwhohasus?”
“No…itisSintharia…orSinestra,assheseemstoprefer,sinceshewishestoclaimnotietoher

dreadmate.”ThedragonmagewentintodetailonhisencounterwithDeathwing’sconsort.

MuchofKalec’sangertowardKrasuswaspushedbackashelistenedindisbelief.Helookedupat

thetinyshard.

“Thatiswhatkeepsussoweak?”
“That…andmylittlepet,”cameanothervoice.
Thepairlookedattheentrance,wherethebloodelfwhoKrasushadsaidwascalledZendarinnow

stood.Behindhiminthecorridorbeyondwasashiningmassofenergy,anelementalthatcouldonlybe
amageslayer.Yet,theblue,attunedtothemanyaspectsofmagic,immediatelysensedthatthiswasnot
anordinarymageslayer,thatmuchaboutithadbeenaltereddramatically…andmadethefiendathreat
eventodragons.

Kaleccouldsensethattheelementalwantedtodrawnearer,butZendarinwavedthecreature

fartherback.

“It’sdevelopedsomeinteresting…tastes,”thebloodelfremarked.“Therearepointstoitthatnow

arereminiscentofamanaeater,forinstance.”

“Whatdoyouwant?”Krasusasked.
Zendaringrinned.“Iwanttobeyourfriend….”
Kalecsnorted.
“Youdon’tbelieveme?I’velearnedseveralthingsrecently,especiallyaboutthedearladyin

black.I’veamindthatyouandIcouldseeeye-to-eyeonherinsomeregards….”

“Youplaywithyourdoom,Zendarin,”theelderdragonreturned,“andwewillnotplaywithyou.

Doyounotthinkthatshehasalwaysawaitedyourbetrayalforyourowndesires?”

“Ofcourse,shedoes.That’swhatmakesitmoreamusing.”
Theprisonersglancedatoneanother.Kalecexpectedhiscompaniontopressthebloodelf,but

Krasusappearednotatallinterestedinpursuingtheonlypathtoescapetheyhad.

“Whatdoyouwantofus?”Kalecfinallyasked.
ZendarinwaitedforKrasustosaysomething,too,butwhentheelderdragonremainedmute,the

bloodelffocusedontheblue.“Therewillcomeatime,whenshemustbefaced.Iammerebloodelf.A
dragon,though,wouldbefarmoreabletostaveheroffforthemomentneeded….”

“Neededforwhat?”
“Youareinterested,then?”
Kalecbaredhisteeth.“IwouldnotbespeakingwithoneofyourkindifIwasnot,regardlessof

mycurrentcircumstances.”

Zendarin’sgazeshiftedtoKrasus.“Andwhatofhim?”
Again,thedragonmageremainedsilent,whichinfuriatedKalec.Didhethinktheiroptionsso

unlimitedthathecouldrefusetoevenplayalongwiththebloodelf?

“Hedoesnotspeakforme,norIhim,”thebluesnapped.“Iaminterested.Thatisasmuchasyou

needfromme,yes?”

“Twowouldbebetterthanone.Igiveyousometimetotalksenseintoyourfriend…butknowthat

timeisveryshort.”

Withthat,Zendarinslippedoutagain.Themageslayerdidnotfollowimmediately,lingeringbythe

entranceasifstilleagertocometothem.Onlywhenthebloodelfcalledtoitdiditfinallyvanish.

“Theyhavemadeaminorevilintosomethingfarmoretreacherous,”Krasuscommented.“Thusis

thewayofGrimBatol.Evilnotonlyflourisheshere,ittransforms….”

“Whatwasthematterwithyou?Whydidn’tyouplayalongwithhim?”
“Thebloodelfistoogreatafooltoeventoywith,youngone.Hisdarknessisterrible,buthers

dwarfshisathousandfold.Eventobarterwithhimrisksusmorethanitisworth,trustme.”

Kalecglared.“Iwillneverunderstandyou.Doasyouwish,then.IfZendarincomesbackagain,

youcanrotinyourchainsalone,staringatthatdamnedsharduntilshedragsyououtandsacrificesyou
orwhateveritisshewants.”

“Sheismakinganabominationofadragon,andwearetofeedthatcreationwithourlives….”
“Allthemorereasontotakewhatlittlepossibilityofescapewehave…unlessyou’vecomeup

withsomewonderfulplanofyourown?”

Theother’seyesnarrowed.“‘Wonderful,’Iwouldnotcallit…noreventrulya‘plan’…but…but

theremayjustbesomethingIcandoafterall….”

Theyoungerdragonwaitedformoreexplanation,butKrasusmerelyturnedhisattentiontothe

entrance…andstared.

Heishere….Korialstraszishere….
Sinestrasavoredthemomentagain.Allhermachinationswerecomingtofruitionjustasshehad

dreamedtheywould.Indeed,shehadgainedfarmorethanexpected,thebluemalesurelyagiftofthe
fates.

Deathwing’sconsortstrodetotheedgeofthepitwhereherfavoredchildrested.Itwashungry,

veryhungry,buthadlearnedfinallytotrustthatitwouldbefedattherighttimeintherightmanner.

“Apityhecouldnothavecomesooner,”Sinestramurmuredtoherself,“ortheblue,also.Itwould

havebeenbestiftheiressencescouldhavebeenfedintotheegg.Now,theywillenhance,butnotbean
integralpartofthemake-up.”Shemadeatskingsound.“Apity,yes…”

Butthereareothereggs,thevoiceinherheadremindedher.Thenextoneswillgainthebenefit

thatthisonedidnot!Theywillbeevenmoremighty,atruelegacytotheyearsofsuffering….

“Yes,”sheagreedoutloud.“ThenextgenerationwilloutshineevenDargonax…”
Asshesaidthename,thecreatureinthepitstirred.
“Hush,hush,”themaddragonmurmuredtoit.“Rest,dearDargonax,rest….Supperwillsoonbe

ready.”

Silencesettledoverthepitagain.Satisfied,Sinestrasummonedapairofskardyn.
“Descendbelow.YouknowwhatIneed.Youwillfindmeinthecavernofthenetherdragon.”
Theygruntedunderstanding,thenrushedofftofulfillhercommand.
Sinestrapeeredintotheblackpitonemoretime,thenheadedforthecavern.Already,shecould

imaginewhatwouldhappenwiththenexteggs,themagnificentchildrenthatwouldhatchfromthem.

“Atlonglast!”theblackdragonbreathed.“Atlonglast…”

Thethinginthepitstirredagain.It—he—haddiscoveredlongagothatifhepretendedtobe

complacent,helearnedmuch.Thistime,though,perhapshehadlearnedmorethanhedesired.

Afuturebatchofeggs…newbrothersandsisters…betterbrothersandsisters…
Dargonaxhissed.

ThedwarvesandtheirtwounlikelyalliesslippedtowardGrimBatol.Vereesaitwaswhohad

insistedagainthattheyheadout,althoughRomhadconvincedhertowaituntilthenextnight.Inthe
daytime,thedwarvesweretooconspicuousasight;thesentrieswouldeasilyseethemandtherewere
alsomagicalfactorswithwhichtodeal.

Iridiofferedsomehopeagainstthelatterproblem.Whileitwastruethatthebloodelfmightdetect

her,shesuspectedthathedidnotunderstandthestaff’spowerstothedepthsthatshedid.

“Hehasnothaditlong,surelyonlybarelybeforehealsocapturedthenetherdragon,”she

explainedtotheothers.

TheconceptofthenetherdragonwasonethatshockedbothVereesaandthedwarves.EvenIridi

hadnoideaoftheirorigins,onlythattheyhadsuddenlyarisenonOutlandand,foratime,menacedher
kind.Yet,fromwhatshehadgleaned,theyhadnotbeensomuchevilasconfused.Eventheyhadnot

understoodwhattheywereorhowtheyhadcomeintobeing.

Thenetherdragonwasstillthefocusofthepriestess’squest.Shehadeventriedtoputtheother

staffoutofherthoughts,concernedthatsomedesiretoavengeherfriendwouldcausehernottothink
clearlywhenthetimecame.Yet,nowIridiunderstoodthatshehadmadeamistake,thatshehadonly
beentryingtokeepherselffromunderstandingjusthowgreatwastheperilfacingher…andhow
insurmountableherquestmightactuallybe.

Butbeforethebandhadleftonitsforay,Vereesahadpromisedherthreethings.Onewasthatthe

netherdragonwouldbefound.Whethertobefreedornecessarilydestroyedwasaquestionthatcould
onlybeansweredoncethathappened.

“Itcannotbeallowedtomenaceothers,ifthatisitsdesire,draenei,”therangerhadinsisted.“Nor,

asweallknow,canitbeusedforwhatevermonstrouspurposestheyplan.Wewillfreeitifthatproves
aviableoption,butwewillnotletthisevil—asthosetwoabominationsyoudescribedsurelymust
representsomehow—continue.”

Thesecondofthethreepromisesconcernedthebloodelf.Inthis,Vereesawasadamant.“Zendarin

ismine.Ifyoucanclaimthestaffandreturnittowhereveryouneedto,sobeit,butmycousinis
mine.”

Third—andforemost—theyhadtofindKrasusandKalec.Notonlyforthesakesofthedragons

themselves—assumingtheystilllived—butforthesimplereasonthatthepair,especiallytheelderred,
gavethemtheirbesthopeofsuccess…muchlesssurvival.

Theoddswerenotgood,butRomhadmadethebestofit.“Won’tbeanyworsethantryin’totake

GrimBatolduringthewar!Leastthereain’tanarmyoforcstowatchfor,either….”

“No,butthereareskardyn,dragonspawn,anddrakonid,”hissecond,Grenda,hadremarkedwith

herusualpracticality.

Thathaddeterredthemnomorethananythingelsehad.AllthedwarvesservingunderRomhad

journeyedhereexpectingtolaydowntheirlivesifnecessary.

GrimBatolwaseverybitasdireasVereesarecalledit.Withashiver,shewishedthatRhoninhad

comewithher.However,inadditiontohisotherduties,hewastheonlyoneofthetwowhocouldbe
withthechildren.TheywerebeingtakencareofbyJalia,astoutmidwifewithsixchildrenofherown
whowasbothlikegrandmotherandsecondmothertothetwins.However,shehadnomannerbywhich
toprotectthem.

Ipraywewillallseeoneanotherafterthis,shethoughttoherhusbandandsons.But,ifnot,she

woulddoallthatshecouldtoseethatthemenaceofhercousinneverthreatenedherfamilyagain.

Toomanyofherfamilyhadbeenslaininthepreviouswars,andofhersister,Sylvanas,Vereesa

hadlearnedanevenmoremonstrousfate.Thoselosseshadbeenterribleenough,butthenhadcomethe
riseofthebloodelves.Somanyofherkindhadturnedfromtheirtraditionstothatdarkpath,the
withdrawalstheyhadsufferedaftertheSunwell’sdestructiontoomuchforthemtobear.Vereesa
recalledherownwithdrawalsandwonderedifshewouldhavejoinedthemhadnotRhoninbeenthere
tohelpherrecuperate.Andmuchlater,whenthefeelingoflosshadoccasionallytriedtoreturn,the
twinshadalsohelpedmerelybybeingthereforhertolove.

ShehadknownZendarinwellwhentheyhadbothbeenyounger.Hehadalwaysbeenambitious,

butinthosedaysthatambitionhadbeenanhonestone.Hehadwantedtoriseupamonghispeople,no
matterhowharditwasforanyindividualtomovebeyondtheircaste.Asonewhohadalsotoapoint
notfitintotheregimentedmoldofhighelvensociety,Vereesacouldappreciatehisdesire.

Butwhenhehadturnedtothewayofthebloodelf,allhisambitionhadfocusedononlyone

thing…togatherforhimselfmoreandmoremagic,bothtosatiatehisinsatiableappetiteandtogivehim
themighttotakeevenmorefromothers.Vereesaheardscatteredwordofhisunseemlydeeds,yethad
notconsideredhimherproblem.Asabloodelf,hewaspartoftheHordeandtheAlliancewasalways

fightingtheHorde.Shehadexpectedthatsoonerorlaterhewouldoverstephimselfandsomewizardor
paladinwouldputanendtohim.

ButthenZendarinhadchosenherchildrenashisnextprize.BothRhoninandsheknewthatthere

wouldbesomethingspecialaboutthem,therareproductofhighelfandwizard.Onecouldsensethe
potentialjustwhenstandingnearthem.Evenjustaftertheirbirth,herhusbandhadsaidsomethingthat
shenowrealizedwasmorepropheticthanevenhehadthought.

“Ihopetheygrowup,”thered-hairedspellcasterhadmutteredduringoneofhismoresullen

moods.“Ihopetheygrowup….”

Asimplecomment,butcomplexinitsfears.
Asshepondereditagain,Vereesareadiedanarrow.Hersword,apartinggiftfromherhusband,

hungsheathedatherside.

“Theeyesorjustunderthebaseofthejaw…atthetopofthethroat,”Romhadtoldher.“Youwant

tokilladragonspawnfastorevenhopetodropadrakonid,those’reyourbestchoices,mylady.”

Therangerstudiedtheareacarefully.Insomeways,hereyeswereatleastasgoodinthedarkas

thoseofthedwarves.However,theblack-scaledhidesofthedrakonidanddragonspawnmadethem
moremurkytargets.Theskardynwereeasierforher,butsheconsideredthemawasteofherarrows.

Yet,itwasaskardynshefirstsighted.Thefoulcreaturesquatteduponalargerock,sniffingtheair

likeadogwhileitchewedonsomeshadowypieceofmeat…hopefullynothingmorethanahapless
lizard.

Vereesapulledthebowstringtight,thenreleasedit.
Ashaftblossomedfromtheskardyn’schest.Thescalydwarfspitoutitstidbitandfellfacefirstoff

therock.Thesoundofitsbodystrikingbelowwasmuted,astherangerhadexpected.

Inthedark,severaldwarvenformsshiftedposition,evermovingclosertothenearestofthecave

entrances.NearVereesa,thedraeneiwaitedpatiently.TherangerhadtoldIriditostaywithheratall
times,followingherleadwhereverpossible.IridihadneverbeentoGrimBatolbefore,whereasthe
highelfhadsomerecollection…andmorethanafewunmentionednightmares.

Anotherskardynappearedonaridgehigherup.Vereesasworeunderherbreath.Theskardynwere

notwhatshewantedtoslay,but,again,shehadnochoice.Worse,yet,thecreaturewatchedfroma
pointthatmadeitverydifficultevenfortheskilledrangertofireaperfectshot.

Thedraeneiabruptlyputahandonhershoulder,thenwhispered,“Letmetry.”
BeforeVereesacouldstopher,thepriestesshadslippedahead.VereesawatchedasIridimadeher

waytowardwheretheguardstood.Althoughthedraeneitriedtobecautious,therangerwassurprised
thattheskardyndidnotseeherandraisethealarm.Indeed,atonepoint,thecreaturegazeddirectlyat
her,butseemedunconcerned.

Somepriesthoodtrick,thehighelfdecided.Shehadheardofpriestsfromotherorderswhocould

makethemselveseithernotbenoticedornoticedasathreatbythosetheywishedtoreach.

Iridiclimbedupnexttotheoddly-obliviousguard.Shestrucktheskardynablowontheneckwith

theedgeofherhand.

Thesentinelcollapsedwithoutasound.
Fromtherockstotheranger’sright,Romgavetheshortsignaltomovefartherin.Theentrance

beckoned,yetVereesawasawarefromthedwarfhowmanytimestheyhadgottenthisfar,onlytohave
somecatastrophestrikethem.

However,slowlybutsurelytheynearedtheirgoal.Thedwarvestookcareofanotherskardynand

evenadragonspawnwithoutmishap.

Wearecomingforyou,Krasus,Vereesathoughttoherself.Wearecomingforyou.Then,hermood

moregrim,sheadded,andIamcomingforyou,Zendarin….

Thegroundshook.

Agaspescapedtheranger.Sheclutchedatthenearestrock.Theareaaroundherroseupanddown

asifamassiveearthquakeweresweepingovertheland.

Yet,GrimBatolitselfwasasstillasdeath.
Thedwarvesstruggledforbalance.Althoughwellusedtosuchtremblings,thisonewassoviolent

thateventheycouldnotinmanyinstanceskeepontheirfeet.

ShesawnosignofRom,butdidspotGrenda.Thefemaledwarfstruggledtowardher.
Afissureopenedupbetweenthem.Fiercegasesburstforth,sohotthatbothfightershadtoretreat.
Fromoutofthefissure—fromoutofotherfissuresrippingopenaroundthem—grotesquefigures

crawledout.

Figuresmadeofburningrock.
Amonstrousgoldaurasurroundedthem.Theymovedlikepuppetstowardwhereverdwarves

struggled.Theirshapeswerecrudelyhumanoidandlackedanyfeatures,thelatterofwhichmadethem
moreunnerving.

“Undead!”Grendashouted.
“TheyarenotScourge,”shereturned.“Theyaresomeanimatedmonstrosity!”
Theywereamenacesuchasnoonetherehadexpectedtoconfront.Whoeverwasmasteror

mistressofthemountnowhadterriblepowerindeedtoraiseupsuchhorrificcreatures.

Onedwarfswungatthenearestofthefieryfigures.Theheadofhisaxmelted,anditwasallthe

fightercoulddotokeepfromburninghishandashereleasedtheweapon.

Therockycreature’smoltenarmmovedwithastoundingswiftness,envelopingtheheadofthe

dwarf.Thedwarf’sscreamandsufferingweremercifullyshort,butthesightofhisheadlesstorso
droppingsentchillsthroughthedefenders.

“Wecan’tfightthese!Therearetoomanyandourbladesareuseless!”Grendalookedaround.

“Where’sRom?Hemustgivethesignaltoretreat!”

Therangerdidnotwanttoretreat.Strappingonherbow,shedrewherswordandlungedatthe

nearestoftheanimatedfigures.

Thebladeeasilycutthroughthesoft,moltenbody.Rhoninhadfearedthatshemightencounter

somemagicalthreatandhadmadecertaintheweaponwouldbeusefulagainstmost.Theelemental
minioncollapsedintotwoseparatepiecesthatstilltriedtomove.

Shedispatchedasecondshamblingfigureinthenextbreath.However,Grendawasprovingalltoo

correctinhercalculationoftheirchances.Thefieryfigureswereeverywhere.

Althoughshehadcalledforretreat,Grendahadbynomeanssimplyturnedandfled.Aloyal

warrior,whilesheawaitedRom’swordthefemaledwarfdidherbestwithherownweapon.
Unfortunately,eventheslighteststrikemeantdamagetoanydwarvenweapon.

And,worse,thefieryfiendskeptmassing.Moreimportant,Vereesanoticedthattheywereslowly

butsurelyherdingthedwarvestogether.Thecreaturesdidnotseeminclinedtoslaytheintrudersunless
thedwarvesputuptoomuchresistance.

Theywanttocaptureus!thehighelfconcludedwithmuchdismay.Butwhy?
Intruth,shehadnorealdesiretofindouttheanswertothat.Awarethatherweaponwasperhaps

theband’sbesthope,VereesaleaptoverthefissureseparatingherfromGrenda.

“Haveasmanyaspossiblycankeepwithusgatherbehindmeimmediately!”shecommanded.“I

willtrytocutourwaythrough!”

“ButRom!Ican’tfindRom!”
“Wecannotwaitforhim!”Ithurttherangertospeaksoaboutacomradewithwhomsheshared

suchahistory,butVereesabelievedthathischoicewouldhavebeenthesame.

Grendayelledherorderstotheothers.Usingtheiraxesandswordsasbesttheycouldtokeeptheir

searingfoesatbay,thedwarvesstayedclosebehindVereesaassheswungatonehorrificfoeafter

another.Limbsflewandbitsofmoltenearthsplashedagainstherbreastplate—andoncealmostather
face—butsheignoredalldistractionsas,underhereffort,thepathbegantoclear.

Butthenthegroundshookanewandyetanotherfissureopenedupbeforeher.Afewofthe

animatedattackersfellintothefissure,buttheirvanishingmeantnothing,forthewaytherangerhad
chosenwasnownolongeropentothem.

“Wemustgototheeast!”shecried,butjustassheturnedthatway,skardynanddragonspawn

joinedintheattackontheparty.

AttheirheadwasaparticularlygrotesquedrakonidwhocouldonlybetheoneRomhadcalled

Rask.Vereesawantedtograbherbowandputanarrowthroughthecreature’sthroat,butshehadno
chance.

“Laydownyourweapons,youlive,”thedrakonidrumbled.Hegesturedattheranksofsilent,

smolderingrockcreatures.“Keepfighting,therebeyourfate….”

Vereesacouldnolongerfindthespacetoproperlyswinghersword.Thedwarves,too,hadtrouble

utilizingtheirweaponsproperly.

Theyweredoomed,ofthatthehighelfbecamecertain.ShelookedtoGrenda,whoseexpression

matchedherown.AsRaskhadsaid,therewereonlytwochoices.Wheretherewaslife,therewas
hope….

“Laydownyourweapons,”Grendaorderedtheothers.Shedidnotgetanyargumentfromthe

otherdwarves.

Vereesatosseddownhersword.Sheprayedthattheyhadnotjustgiventhemselvesupforaneasy

andawfulkill.

Themomentthepartysurrendered,therockyguardianscollapsed.Theirbodiesliquefied,spilling

backintothecrevassesasthestunnedfighterswatched.

Intheirplacemovedtheskardynandthedragonspawn.Someoftheformerquicklysnatchedup

theweaponsoftheircousins,atthesametimemakinghissingsoundsorgnashingtheirteethasifin
hunger.

OnestartedtoreachforVereesa’ssword,butRaskordereditback.
“Mine,”thedrakoniddeclared.HeheftedRhonin’screation.“Goodbalance…”Totheother

guards,Raskordered,“Tothelowerpits.Themistresscommands….”

TheyhadwantedtoslipintothedepthsofGrimBatolandtheirwishwouldnowbegranted,albeit

notintheleastastheyhadhoped.Vereesabothcursedandmarveledatthepowerofthismysterious
mistressofwhomthedrakonidhadspoken.Theappearanceofthefieryminionscertainlygave
credencetoablackdragonbeinginvolved.WasitthenOnyxia,thedaughterofDeathwing?Surelynot,
forRhoninhadoncementionedinformationgatheredfromothersourcesthatallbutverifiedthatthe
femaleblackwasnomore.Yet,whatotherdragoncouldcommandthisebonydrakonidandhis
dragonspawncohorts?Raskhaddefinitelysaid“mistress,”whichruledouteitherasurviving
DeathwingorNefarian.

Father,son,daughter…
Wherewasthemotherinallthis?
Suddenlytherangerwishedthatshehadnotaidedinthedecisiontosurrender.Inhermind,

VereesacouldimagineonlythatoneofDeathwing’sconsortslurkedinGrimBatolandofhisconsorts
onlythenameSinthariacametomind.

ShehadconvincedthedwarvestoturnthemselvesovertothemercyofthemateofthemadEarth-

Warder.

Vereesasurreptitiouslyreachedforadaggerhiddenunderherbreastplate.Withonlylivingfoes

withwhichtodeal,shehopedthatifshecausedadistraction,someoftheprisonersstoodatleasta
modicumofachanceofescaping—

Thepointofherownswordcamemuchtoonearherthroat.Theheatfromtheburningweaponleft

hersweating.

“Thedaggeroryourhead,”Raskchuckled,“oneorotherdrops…”
Therangerletthedaggerfall.Askardynscoopeditup,thenwiselyhandedittothedrakonid.
“Wise,”Rasksaid,sheathingtheweaponinabeltaroundhisscaledwaist.
Theprisonerswereusheredintothemouthofthecave.

Butabovewatchedoneattackerthatthedrakonidhadmissed.IridicoulddonothingforVereesa

andtheothers,althoughshehadnearlyclimbeddowntotry.Intheend,however,thedraeneihad
determinedthatshecouldbetterhelpherfriendsinthelongrunbynothelpingthemnow.

Thepriestesslookedaround.Fartherup,anotheropeningbeckoned.Itwouldrequireaprecarious

climb,butitwasherbestchanceofenteringthemount.

Withthestaffdismissed,Iridicrawledlikeaspideruptherockface.Shehadnoillusionsastoher

chances;whatconfrontedthemwasapowerfulthingofevil,evenmoresothanthebloodelf,whose
owndarkdeedswereevengreaterinnumberthanshehadimagined.Yet,itwasnowalluptoher.That
wassomethingthatshehadsensedfromthebeginningofherjourney,thattherewouldcomeapoint
whenshewouldbecalledupontomakethecrucialdecisionoract,uponwhichallelsewouldbe
decided.Thishadtobethatmoment.

Krasus,Kalec,Vereesa,andthedwarveswereallprisoners.Itmadeperfectsensetoherthatshe

shouldchooseoneormoretolocateandimmediatelyfree.Astherangerherselfhadindicated,Krasus
waslikelythebestchoiceofallthose.

Andyet,asIridireachedtheentrance,sheknewwithoutdoubtthatitwasthenetherdragonfor

whomshewasabouttobeginhersearch….

THIRTEEN

oyousensethat?”KalecaskedKrasus.“Somethingisgoingonjustbeyondthemount….”

Thedragonmagedidnotanswer,hisattention,asearlier,ontheentrancetotheirprison.
Thislatestsilenceonlyinfuriatedtheyoungbluemore.Hehadtriedspeakingwiththeother

dragonhalfadozentimes,butKrasusneversomuchasnodded.Hesatlikeastatue,andwhileKalec
understoodthathiscompanionhadsomethinginmind,hehadgivenindicationmorethanoncethatit
wouldhavebeengoodiftheotherhadincludedhiminthedetails.

KrasusknewthatKalecstillleanedtowardthebloodelf’soffer,althoughonlylongenoughto

regaintheupperhand.Therewasmeritinthat,butnotenoughconsideringthatitwasSinestrawhowas
thetruedarknessofGrimBatol.

Andso,KrasusdidnotarguewithKalec,butchosetoworkonwhatwaspossiblyanevenmore

remotehope.

“We’renobetter….”theblueremarkedbitterly.
Despitehiscurrenttask,Krasuscouldnothelpbutbecurious.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
“MylordMalygos,nowthathe’swholeagain,hashadnothinggoodtosayofthemortalracesand

theirabusesofmagic.Heproclaimsthatonlydragonsareworthyandcapableofwieldingmagic
properly.”Kalecshookhishead.“Rightnow,tomeitseemslikedragonswielditworsethananyone
else….”

Krasuswasabouttoreply,whenhesensedapresencemovingdownthecorridorintheirdirection.

ItdidnotradiatethemagicthatpermeatedZendarin,themageslayer,or,mostimportantofall,her.
Perhapsitwasfinallywhathehopeditwouldbe.

Askardynstrodeintosight.
Ratherthanbedisappointed,Krasus’shopesrose.Hemadeagruntingsoundidenticaltosomeof

thespeechthathehadheardthemuseearlier.

Thescalydwarflookedhisdirection.
Krasuscaughtthecreature’sgaze…andheldit.Hedidnotdoitbyanytruemagicalmeans,butby

sheerwill.

FromKalectherecameabrief,mutedsound.Thebluenowhadsomeinklingofwhatheplanned.
Theskardynstoodmotionlessforafewseconds,simplystaringback.Then,slowly,itentered.
Yet,itwasnottowardKrasusitwent,butratherthenearestwall.Eyesevertiedtothedragon

mage’sown,theskardynbeganclimbing.

Krasusguideditwithhisgaze.Overthespaceofseveralmillennia,hehadbecomeveryadeptat

mesmerism.Itwasveryrareforhimtousethisskill,forhedespisedanywhowillinglyenslaved
anotherevenforashorttime,butthereweretimesofnecessity,suchasnow.

Despiteitssquatform,theskardynwasanagileclimber,notatallsurprisingconsideringitlivedin

thecavernswithinandbelowGrimBatol.Krasushaditcontinueitsascentuntilitwasnownearthe
ceiling.

Atthatpoint,heturnedhisgazetotheshardfloatingintheair.
Theskardynleapt.
Theheavydwarvenbodyenvelopedtheshard.Asittouchedthemagicalfragment,theskardyn’s

formflaredgolden.Despiteclearlybeinginimmensepain,thecreaturedidnotreleaseitshold.

Skardynandshardfinallydroppedtothefloor.
“Isitstillalive?”Kalecasked.
“Itsdeathwasunavoidable,”thedragonmagerepliedsomewhatsadly.Asonewhoservedand

defendedlife,heregrettedwhencircumstancedemandedsuchcoldmanipulationofanothercreatureon
hispart,evenacreaturesuchasthis.Shakingoffhisregret,heaskedinturn,“Canyoufeelthe
differencearoundusnow?”

Atfirst,Kalecdidnotlookasifheunderstood.Then,thebluesuddenlyfrowned.
“Theshard…itsinfluenceislessened…justalittle,butitisless.”
“ItwasahunchIplayed.Theveryrunethatmakesitimmunetomuchmagicisalsowhatenables

ittoactasabuffer,sotospeak,oftheshard’spowers.”

Kalecstruggledwithhisbonds.Krasuscoulddetecttheblueusinghismagic,buttonoavail.
“Youwillnotbeabletodoanything,”theredexplained.
Kalecfrowned.“Thenwhatisthepoint,oldone?Whydidyougothroughsomuchtroubleifwe

stillcan’tescapethischamber?”

“Butwecan…ifonlyweworktogether.”
Theotherdragondidnotlookconfident.“Thereisstillsomeotherforcebesidesthatshardkeeping

ussoweak…andsomethingelsekeepingyouevenmoreso,Korialstrasz.”

“Donotconcernyourselfwiththatlast.Sinestraplannedlongformyparticularcoming,knowing

—asyoumightputit—thatImustinterfere.Iwasassailedbystormandseamonsterandmagicfrom
variousdarkelements,includingnagawhomIsuspecthadthechoiceofservingherwillorsuffering
terribly.Allofit,includingawoundthatdoesnotcompletelyheal,weretomakemeweakenoughto
overcomeonceIcamehere…andIwillinglyletthathappen.”Krasusstraightened.“ButIamnotso
weakasanyofyouthink…andthatiswhy,withbothofustogether,weshouldatleastbeabletofree
ourselvesofthesebonds.”

“Butwhatelseweariesus?”Kalecpersistedashereadiedhimself.
“Ihavemysuspicions,buttospeakthemwouldbetoonlyaddmoreuncertaintytooursituation.

Shouldweescapethischamber,wecandealwiththatandallelseasneedsbe.”

“Murkyasever.Yourqueenmustlovemystery….”
Krasusdidnotshowhowthelastcommentsentpangsofremorsethroughtheolderdragon.The

redwasnotallthatcertainthathewouldsurvivethistoseehisbelovedmateagain.True,hehadoften
beenindangeroussituations,butevidentlyagewascatchingupevenwithhim.

Thatdidnotmean,however,thathehadanyintentionofabandoninghisself-chosenroleas

Azeroth’sprotectoruntildeathtrulydidclaimhim.

“Letusconcentrateourwillstogether,”hesaidtoKalec.
Itwasnotsomethingtheblueobviouslydesired,buthenodded,thenclosedhiseyes.Krasusdid

thesame.

Themagicofabluedragonwasdifferentthanthatofared,butevenKrasuswassurprisedbythe

particulartraitsofhiscompanion’s.Therewasatouchtothatmagicthatdidnotfeelatallakintoany
otherblue’swithwhomKrasushadbeenincontactthroughouthisexistence.Thatevenincluded
Malygoshimself.

AndthenKrasusknewwhatitwasthatmadeKalecuniquenotjustamongtheblueflight,butall

dragons.

HewastouchedbythepoweroftheSunwell.
Kalecdidnotknowthishimself;thatwasobvioustoKrasusimmediately.Theinfluencewas

subtleanddeep.Indeed,itblendedsomuchintotheblue’sveryessencethatKrasuscouldthinkofit
onlyasdoneonpurpose.

Beforeshehadresumedhertruedestiny,Anveenahadleftwithherchampionatokenofherlove.

UnbeknownsttoKalec,shewouldalwaysbewithhim,eveninhisdarkesttime.

Insomeways,thetwowereevencloserthanheandAlexstrasza.
HefeltKalec’ssuddenimpatience,theotherdragonnotawarewhatKrasushaddiscovered.

Anveenahadhadareasonforhimnotknowingandtheredrespectedthat.

Concentrating,heboundwhatpowerhecouldsummonwiththatoftheotherprisoner.Together,

theyfocusedononeofthebondsholdingKalec.ThechoiceofthatwasKrasus’s;ifsomething
happened,heatleastwantedthebluefreetohopefullywarnthedragonflights.

Atfirst,nothinghappened.Therewasmagicinvolvedinthispartoftheircaptivity,too.

Fortunately,though,ithadevidentlybeenassumedthattheshardwouldbesufficient.KrasusandKalec
foundtheweaklinkinthespellanderadicatedit.

Theblue’swristwasfreed.
Theotherbondsweresimpletoremoveafterthat.Withinaminute,thepairwasstanding,albeit

withsomeaching.

“Whatnow,Korialstrasz?”Kalecasked,insistingoncallinghiscompanionbyhisfulldragon

nameratherthanbytheidentitytheothercurrentlypreferred.Krasusalwaysfavoredthenamethat
matchedthatshape,somethingtheyoungerdragonevidentlydidnotappreciate.“Shouldwetakethe
shard?”

“Ittookmemonthstogatherthatoneshardandlearnthespellsenablingmetowieldit.Sinestra’s

madethatfoulpiecehers.”Hekickedoverthebodyoftheskardyn.Theshardhadleftthefrontbadly
burnt.“Thereisonlyonethingtodowithitandthatistoleaveithere.”

“NotwhatI’dprefer.”
“NorI…”Butdespitesayingthat,Krasusheadedtotheentranceasiftheshardnolongerexisted.

Afteramoment,Kalechurriedafterhim.

“Whichwayisout,doyousuppose?”theblueaskedinthecorridor.
“Thatdoesnotmatterasmuchasthewaydeeper.”
Kalecconsideredthis,thennodded.“Ofcourse.”
“Itisthecaptivethatwemustreach,thenetherdragon,asIridicalledit.Wemustdecidewhether

itcanbesafelyfreedor,ifnotthat,howtoquickestdestroyit.”

“Notasimplechoice,consideringouroddweakness.”
“Andthatistheotherthingthatwemustlocate,whichIbelievemustbenotthatfarfromthe

netherdragon.ThatshardoftheDemonSoulwasstrongenoughtodealwithus,butthisverymount
radiatesafoulnessthatsickenedandslewmykind.Onelittleshard,evenoftheSoul,cannotdothat.
Sinestrahassomethingmorevile.”

Theyoungerdragonagreed.“Wewillprobablyhavetoseparateatsomepoint.”
“Mycompanyissurelysomethingyoudonotdesiremuch,sowhenthetimecomes,thatshouldbe

notrouble.”

Kalecchuckled,butthechucklediedasherealizedthatKrasuswasmakingnojoke.
Meanwhile,thedragonmagehadfinallydeterminedwhichdirectionmightbestleadthemwhere

theydesired.HehadbeeninportionsofGrimBatolinthepast,buthiscurrentconditionhadhadsome
effectonhismemory.

“Thisway,”hesaid,pointingwheretheyhadlastseenZendaringo.

Kalecsteeledhimself.“Asyousay.”
“CanyoucreateanysortofshieldtoblockusfromSinestra’ssenses?”
“Itwouldbeaweakone,Korialstrasz.”
Thedragonmageconsideredashewalked.“Sheisdistractedbyherwork.Evenaweakshield

maybeenoughtopreserveus.”

Theyoungerdragondrewacircleinfrontofhim.Krasuscouldhaveperhapsdoneaswellhimself,

buthewasalreadyusingwhatpowerhehadtodivinewhatlayahead.

ThecirclethatKalecdrewgrewtofilltherockycorridor.Itthenswelled,becomingaspherethat

engulfedbothmales.Atthesametime,itgraduallyfadedfromvisibility.

“Itshouldatleasthelpuswiththedrakonidanddragonspawn,”theblueremarked.“Andmaybe

thebloodelfandthatalteredmageslayer.”

“Ifithelpswithany,ithelps….”
Thepassageswerenotlitforthemostpart,butneitherdragonwasbotheredmuch.What

illuminationtherewascamefromcrystalsintermittentlysetinthewalls.

“Howfardowndothesecavernsandtunnelsgo?”Kalecquietlyasked.
“IknowofnocreaturelivingordeadwhocouldanswerthatquestionsaveperhapsDeathwing

himself.Eventheorcsdidnotdescendintothecaverns’truedepths.”

“Nordragons,either?”
“Nordragons,either…saveagain,perhaps,Deathwing,forthemadcansurvivewhatsanitysaysis

suicide.”Krasusdidnotaddthat,dependingonhowmattersturned,he,attheveryleast,mighthaveto
bravethelowestdepths.

Theyjourneyedforsometimealongthesamepassage,butthenitbrokeoffintothreedirections.

Krasuspausedatthejuncture,smellingtheair.

“Thesmellofskardyniseverywhere,whichnegatesseekingthecurrents.However,wecanatleast

makesomejudgmentsonwhatisvisibleeachway.Thepathtotherightwillmostcertainlyclimbagain.
Theoneaheadseemstogodownanotherlevelatleastandmayeventuallyleadustoourgoal,butI
cannotsaywhetherweshouldfollowitortaketheoneontheleft—”

Athunderingroarfilledwithpainshooktheentiremount.Krasusandthebluepressedthemselves

againstthewallsasrockfellhereandthere.

Theroarceased.Thetremorpassedamomentafter.
“Thatcamefromtheleft,Korialstrasz.”
“Yes,ourchoicehasbeenmade.”
Thetwocreptslowlyinthatdirection.Krasuswouldhavelikedtohavemovedfaster,butwith

bothofthemnotatallinanyconditionforaprolongedbattlewithSinestra,theyhadtobevery,very
cautious.

Therecameanotherroarsuddenly,onethatsentshiverseventhroughKrasus.Hehadneverheard

itslikebefore,evenamongalldragonkind.

Evenincludingthetwounstableabominationstheyhadfought.
“What—whatisthat?”
“Sinestrahasanewchild,itseems….”
Kaleclookedathiminshock.“Youmeanlikethosethingsweranintoearlier?”
“Iwouldthinkthattheyperhapspaleincomparison.Shewouldnotwishtorepeatmistakes.”He

considered.“Thatroarcamefromthesamegeneraldirectionasthepainedone.”

“Itsoundedcloser,too.”
“Indeed…”Theywaitedamomentlonger,buttheroarsdidnotresume.However,voicesbeganto

arise.

Withoutawordtooneanother,thetwodragonsslippedbackdownthepassage.Krasuspointed

downanunlitsidetunnel.Whathecouldsenseofitgaveindicationthatithadnotseenrecentuse.

Kaleccontinuedmaintainingtheshield.Thepairfinallypausedatanotherjuncture,thenstilled.
Theblackdragonwasnear.Verynear.Krasuspreparedhimselftofightherwithwhatmightwas

leftinhim.Thetunnelspreventedallofthemfromresumingtheirtrueforms,butthatwouldnotkeep
Sinestrafromunleashingpowersuchasneitheroftheescapeeshad,evencombined.

Then,boththevoiceandthepresenceofDeathwing’sconsortfadedagain.Krasuswaitedlonger

thannecessarybeforefinallyheadingback.

WithKalecclosebehind,heheadedtowheretheroarshadoriginated.Theyenteredanother

chamberthatimmediatelymadeKrasuswary.Toonesideofthechamber,agreatpitdescendedinto
utterdarkness.Thedragonmagecautiouslypeeredintoit,but,despitehisbestattempts,couldsense
nothingbeyondtheinherentevilpermeatingallofGrimBatol.

“Veryodd,”Krasusmurmuredtohiscompanion.“Iwouldhavethoughtthat—”
Kalecsuddenlygrippedhisarmandpointedfartheron.
Twodragonspawnenteredfromtheothersideofthechamber.
Thedragonspawnweremorestartledthantheprisoners.Kalecleaptforward,amagicalblade

alreadysummoned.ItwasfainterinitsglowthanKrasusknewthatitshouldhavebeen,butitstillcut
throughthickscalewellenoughtobadlywoundthefirstguard.Asthemassivecreaturetriedtorally,
Kaleccutthroughbothitsarmanditschest.

Astheonecollapsed,thesecondstartedtocallthealarm.Krasusgestured,hopingthatatleasthe

couldspareenoughmagictopreventthat.

Thedragonspawn’slongmouthopened…butnosoundescaped.Theguardclatteredhisaxagainst

therockywallnearby,withthesamelackofresults.

Expressionalmostmurderous,Kalecbattledthesurvivor.Theaxcamenearhisskull,buthis

weaponseveredtheheadoftheaxfromtheshaft.

Astheguardregisteredtheloss,Kalecslashedagain.
Thedragonspawn’smuzzledroppedtothefloor.
Themonstrousguardstumbledback.Evenforafour-leggedgiant,thelosswasaterribleone

regardlessofthefactthattheswordhadalsoimmediatelycauterizedthewound.Thedragonspawn
clutchedathisruinedface.

Thebluedragondrovehisbladethroughtheguard’schest.
KrasusjoinedKalec,whowaspanting,butnotfromeffort.Theelderdragonsawthattheyounger

hadrelivedsomepast,criticalmoment.

“Weneedtodisposeofthemquickly,”Krasuswhisperedtohim,moretoshakeKalecfromhis

reveriethanbecausehereallyhadtotellhimwhatwasobvious.

“Thispitseemsveryhandy.”Kaleccreatedablue-tintedglowsphere.Hesentthespheredown

intothepitforsomedistance,butwhenthebottomremainedinvisible,finallysummoneditbackto
him.“It’shuge…andthere’satremendousdropontherightside,Krasus.Thiswouldbeasgoodaplace
asanyforthesetwo.”

Krasushadnoargument.ThefartherintothedepthsofGrimBatol,thelesslikelythatanyone

wouldfindthebodies.Thedisappearanceswouldstillbenoted,buttherewouldbesomequestionof
whathadhappened,buyingtheescapeespreciousseconds.

Grittinghisteethfromeffort,Kalecusedhismagictotipthefirstdragonspawnintothepit,then

joinedKrasusindisposingofthesecondinthesamemanner.Itwasnotuntilthesecondslippedover
theedgethattheyheardthefirststrikebottom.

Kalecsmiledgrimly.“Thatdefinitelyshouldbedeepenough.”
Krasusnodded,butfeltevenmoreunsettledsomehow.Suddenlyhewantedtobeveryfarfrom

thischamber.

Theotherdragonnoticed.“Whatisit?”
“Thisisnounusedchamber…”theredpulledhisyoungercounterpartfromtheedgeofthepit.

“Thatsecondcry…ithadtobefromsomewhereneartohere,Kalec.”

“Andso?”
Theunsettledfeelingmagnified.Krasusfeltasifsomethinglurkedallaroundthem,watching,

judging.

Hiseyesnarrowedashestudiedthedarknessofthepitagain.
“Come!Hurry!”
Therecamealow,ominoussoundthatshookbothtotheircore.Itwasalaughfilledwiththe

promiseofterriblethings,terriblethingsthatevendragonscouldnotface.

Fromoutofthepitarosetendrilsofenergyadarkandforebodingamethystinhue.Themonstrous

wavesofpurpleilluminationwerenotanattackinitself,butpresagedsomethingterribletocome.

Kalecsuddenlyslipped.Hisbodyslidback,headingtowardthepitasifpulledbyaninvisible

hand.Krasusseizedhim,thenpulled.Atthesametime,hefeltsomethingtryingtodraghimoveras
well.

“Leaveme!”theblueshouted.“Leaveme!”
“Never!”
Kalec’sfeettippedovertheedge.Despitehisbestefforts,Krasusdoubtedthathewouldbeableto

saveeitherofthem.

Somethingtuggedhardonthebluedragon.
Krasuscouldnotmaintainhisgrip.
Withashout,Kalecvanishedintothesinisterlightbelow.
Krasusfelthimselfalsodraggedclosertooblivion.Theedgeofhisfeetcrossed.Heknewthatin

anotherbreath,hewouldjointheunfortunateblue.

Andthen…justassuddenlyasitstarted,thethreatvanished.Thesensethatsomethinghugewas

abouttoriseupovertheedgeofthepitceased.Thedarkamethystglowwinkedout.

Gasping,Krasusdraggedhimselfawayfromthepit.Hedidnotgofar,though,stillhopefulthat

Kalecmighthavesomehowsurvived.Theredcrouched,thenconcentratedhiswillonthepit—

Apowerfulburstfromtheotherendofthechambersenthimflyingthroughtheair.Hecollided

withthefarwall.Half-dazed,Krasusslidtothefloor.

Sinestraloomedabovehim.Shewasterribletobehold,allpretenseofproprietygone.
“Youaretroublesome,”Deathwing’sconsortquietlydeclared.
Sheheldupasmallcontainer,adreadthingwithfourslopingsidesthatappearedtohavebeen

madefromblackandfire-redcrystalsthatpulsatedinwhatseemedaperfectimitationofbreathing.The
frontsidewasthenarrowest,thetwoflankingitlongest.Thelidboreapatternofalternatingcrystals
shapedtoformasymbolthatmatchedtheshapeoftheboxand,toKrasus’shorror,identifieditsorigins
anduse.Thesymbolrepresentedavolcano,theancientmarkofthepoweroftheearth…andtheblack
flight,whosemasterhadcreatedit.

Itwasachrysalunchamber….
Sinestraslidbackthelidhalfway—asfarasitcouldactuallymove—revealingav-shapedgap

barelylargeenoughtoallowforanutorsomeothertinytidbit.

Krasusraisedahandbeforehiminwhatheknewwasafeebleattempttostaveofftheinevitable.
Thechrysalunchamberswallowedthedragonmagewhole.Thelidthenslidshutofitsownaccord

andthecrystalsbegantheirslow,steadybreathingagain.

Tuckingtheartifactunderherarm,Sinestraturnedtothepit.Shepeeredovertheedge.
Dargonaxstirred.
“Youhavebeennaughty,”shemurmuredtohercreation,herultimatechild.“Suchawaste!Iwill

havetofindaproperpunishmentforyou…”

“Forgivvveee…”aghostlyvoice—likethatofthewindonachillday—repliedfrombelow.
“Yourfirstword!”Herangerdissipated.“Yourfirstword…howdelightful…youarealmostall

grownupnow…”

Sinestraglancedatthechrysalunchamber,thenintothepitagain.Afteranothermomentof

thought,shelaughedandcarriedthemagicalprisonoff.

Herchildwasalmostreadytoleavethecrèche.Therewasmuchtoprepare.

ThelandscapewhereVereesaandthedwarveshadbeencapturedlaydeathlyquiet.Thefissures

remainedopenandfromthemsulfuricgasescontinuedtorise.

Apairofstrong,leatherbootsmadeonlyslightsoundsasanothernewcomertoGrimBatollooked

overtheravagedscene.Heshookhishead,thenwentinsearchforsomethinginparticularthatlay
amongtheruinedearth.

Itwashere,somewhere.Hesensedit,senseditaswellasifitwereapartofhim…orher.
Theevilthatwasthedreadmountdidnotgounfeltbyhim.Therewerethingsevennowthat

shouldbewatchinghiseverymove,buttheycouldnotbecausetheyhadbeentoldbyhimtolookother
ways,atotherthings.

Hehadcomepreparedfortheworst,andtheworsthehadfound.Still,withhimwerenotonlyhis

owntricks,butsomeaddedstrengthpassedontohimbyothers.Itwasironicthathe,oncereviled,now
couldaskforthemwhatheneededandtheywouldgiveittohim.

Butthen,somuchhadchanged.Itwasforhiminterestingtothinkthatoneofthemostconsistent

factorsinAzerothwasthatGrimBatolwouldbefilledwithmenace.Therewasalmostatwisted
comfortinthatknowledge.

Suddenly,hedetectedthenearbypresenceofthatwhichhesought.Ashiverranthroughhimashe

ponderedtheimpendingdiscovery.Therewasalimpshaperightnearwheretheobjectshouldbe.Could
thatshapebelongto—

Neveronetocareforproprieties,heranforallhewasworthtothebody.
“Praisebe!”hehissed.Itwasnother,merelyanoddly-shapedmoundofupturnedrockanddirt.
Butunderneathitwasthatwhichsenthisheartpounding.Heliftedupthetalisman.Thebroken

chaindangledlimply.Afterallthecarethathehadputintoremakingitsothatitwouldkeepthemtied
togethernomatterwhatthedistance,ithadnowprovedasusefulasanyoneoftherocksthatmadeup
thelandscapehere.

Helookedaroundagain,buttherewasnosignofher.NosignofhisVereesa.
ThewizardRhoninswore.

FOURTEEN

henetherdragonwasnear.Iridicouldsensehimbetterthanalmostanyothercreaturearoundher.

Afterall,weretheynotbothstrangerstothisworld?HadtheybothnotcometoherefromOutland?

Nowthatshewassoclose,thedraeneiaskedherselfwhatsheexpectedofthenetherdragon.Did

shethinkitwouldbegratefultoseeher?Draeneihadneverbeenfriendstothenetherdragonsanymore
thanotherraces.ForallIridiknew,itwasjustaslikelytoeather.

Butsomethingwithininsistedthatthepriestesstrytoreachthecreature.
Pressedagainstawall,hertrainingmakingherseemalmostinvisibletotheskardyn,Iridipeered

aroundthenextcorner.Avastcavernopenedupbeforeherandinitcrawledthesavagedwarvesin
largenumbers.Theyscrambledupthewalls,clungfromtheceiling,orscamperedoverthefloor,allto
keep,inherestimation,theirsoleprisonerfrommovingsomuchasaninch.

Soastoundingwasthenetherdragon’sprisonthatthedraeneialmostwalkedoutandstared.She

hadwonderedhowtheycouldkeepthegreatbeastsecureonceitwasfreedfromtheterribleboxand
nowsheknew.Thestrandsofenergychokedthenetherdragonasiftheleviathanwerecorporeallike
herortheskardyn.Theylookedalmostflimsy,yetitwasclearthattheirpowerwasincredible.

Finallylookingbeyondtheshacklestotheprisonerhimself,Iridicouldscarcelybelievethathe

stillsurvived.Thenetherdragonwasmoreghostthanever,somuchsothattherewereareaswhereit
wasmoredifficulttoseehimthanwhateverlaybehindhishulkingform.

Shealmostwenttohimthen,butafamiliarevilapproached.Thebloodelfstrodeintothechamber.

Withhimfloatedaninsidious-lookingcreaturethatwasthemageslayerKrasushadconfronted.

Zendarinapproachedthenetherdragon.Heappearedasifhedidnothingbutobservetheprisoner,

butthepriestesssensedthatmorewasatplay.

AskardyncameuptoZendarin,growlingandhissingsomethingthatapparentlyhecould

understand.

“Thennexttimeseetoitthatitdoesn’thappen!”Zendarinsnappedpeevishly.“Wouldnotwantto

getanotherofyourstinkinglittleilkswallowedup,wouldyou?”

Onlythendidshenoticethatfourofthecreatureswereadjustingcrystalsnearthenetherdragon’s

greatmaw.Thatnowexplainedoneofthetremendousroarsthatshehadheard.Somethinghadclearly
happenedthatundidthoseparticularstrands.Sheeyedtheskardyn’sworkclose,tryingtodiscernjust
what.Perhapstherewouldliethekeytofreeingtheleviathan.

Butwouldsheactuallyfreeit?Thatwasaquestionfordebate,debateIridihadbeenhavingsince

thebeginning.

Thereisonlyoneway.Imusttrytojudgethisnetherdragon….
EvenKrasuswouldhavelookedatherindisbeliefhadheknownofherdecision.Thedraenei

knewwellthattherewasnotoneofherrecentcompanions—andfewofherownfollowing—who

wouldhavechosensuchacourse.Whattherewasknownofnetherdragonsdidnoturgetrustinthem.

ButstillIridifeltshehadnorighttodootherwise.
Thebloodelfdeparted,hismageslayerbehindhim.Thepriestessglancedaround,butsawonly

moreskardyn.Those,shebelievedshecouldhandle.Therunesthatprotectedthemdidnotappearto
workagainstthestaff,althoughshewouldusethatasalastresort.Fornow,thedraeneitrustedinthe
teachingsofherorder.

Thinktheirgazeaway.Letthemlookaroundyou,notatyou.Aseeminglyimpossiblething,onthe

surface,butwiththosewordsherteachershadalsotaughthertechniquestobetterblendwithher
surroundings.Shehadusedthemtoheradvantageoutsideandeveninthecorridors,butheretherewere
moreskardynthanever.

Nevertheless,thedraeneisteppedout.Shekeptherselfclosetothenearestwall,lettinghercloak

helpmaskher.

Theskardyncontinuedwiththeirtasks.Theywereeagertokeepthecrystalsinplace.Iridicould

sensetheiranxiousnesswhenevertheygotverynearthenetherdragon.

Oneofthemhappenedtoglanceherway.Thepriestessfroze.
Theskardyngnasheditsteeth,thenresumeditstask.Iridiwaitedamomentmore,thenstartedto

descend.

Then,adragonspawnentered.
Itpointedatthenearestseveralskardyn.“Come.Mistresscommands….”
Halfadozenofthecreaturesfollowedthedragonspawnout.Iridigavethanks;theirdepartureleft

theareaneartheheadvirtuallydevoidofskardyn.Therestwerefartherawaynow.Thiswasher
chance.

Withgreatnimbleness,thedraeneidescendedtothelevelwherethenetherdragonlaybound.She

waitedthereforamomentastwoskardynclimbingalongthewallpassedintoasidetunnel,then
slippedtowardthemassiveprisoner.

Eventhenetherdragondidnotappeartonoticeher,althoughhisconditionlikelyhadmuchtodo

withthat,too.Iridifrowned.Sheknewthatthestaffmighthelpher,butfearedtosummonit.

Intheend,therewasagainnochoice.Lookingtoseewherethenearestskardyncurrentlywere,the

priestesscalleditforthandfocuseditonthecaptiveleviathan.

Theeyesofthenetherdragonopenedwide.
Inthatinstant,afloodofmemoriesandemotionsflowedfromthebehemoth’smindintohers.She

sawhiminOutlandandsawtheevilthathehaddone.Yet,thatevilcameinpartfrommisunderstanding
andastheemotionsandmemoriescontinuedtopourintothepriestess,shesensedhisregretoverhis
betrayalsandthehopetomakeupforthem.

Iridialsosensedthattherewassomethingredeemableinthisdarkgiant…and,knowingthat,

determinedthatitwasfreedom,notdeath,shesoughtforthenetherdragon.

Thepriestessglancedaroundattheskardyn.Thankstoherefforts,theystillpaidhernomind.She

keptthestafflow,hopingtobeswift.

Canyouunderstandme?thedraeneianxiouslythought.
Zzeraku…hears…you….
Iridibreathedjustalittleeasier.Thenaaruhadgivensomeindicationthatthestaffwouldhelpher

communicatewithsomecreatures,butshehaddoubtedthatitwouldbeofusewithanetherdragon.

Butthelinkwasfaint,thereasonforthateitherherwieldingofthestafforthenetherdragon’s

obviousweaknessorboth.Iridiconcentratedharder.

Doyouknowhowthesebondscanberemoved?
Thenetherdragonvisiblystirredatthisquestion.Thedraeneirealizedthathehadexpectedherto

beyetanotherofhiscaptors.Hishopeandgratituderadiatedbrightinherthoughts,solidifyingthe

priestess’sbeliefsthatshewasdoingtherightthing.Thiswasnotanevilcreature,onlyacreaturewho
hadmistakenlydoneevil.Hehadthepotentialtobesomuchmore.

Thecrystals…hefinallyanswered.Thefrequency…Zzerakuisnot…notstrongenoughtochange

them….

Buthehadtried,shesensed,andinhismostagonizingmomentshadbeennearesttosuccess.Yet,

eventhenallhismighthadnotbeenenough.

Notbeingrestrainedherself,thepriestesshadhopethatshewouldbemoresuccessful.Iridilooked

around,debatingwhatsheshouldfirstattempttofree.Apawwouldhavemademuchsense,butthe
mawwasclosestandpossiblythesimplesttodowithoutbeingseen.

Yes…Zzerakusaid.
Thenetherdragonhadchosenforher.Thedraeneiwenttothenearestcrystal.
Askardyndroppeddownfromthewalltotheside.Itstaredatherinsurprise.
Iridireleasedthestaff,whichvanished.Sheseizedthemonstrousdwarfbythearmandpulledthe

creatureforward.Asheflewintoher,thepriestessstrucktheskardynatapredeterminedpointonthe
sideoftheneck.

Theskardyncollapsed.Iridihurriedlyshovedthebodybehindpartofthewall’snaturalformation.

Theskardynwouldbefound,butshehopedtobefinishedbeforethen.

Recallingthestaff,thepriestessfocusedthepointonthefirstofthecrystalskeepingZzeraku’s

jawssealed.Shefeltthecrystal’svibrationsandunderstoodwhatthenetherdragonhadmeant.
Concentrating,Iriditriedtodoashehadsuggested.

Thecrystalresisted.Sweating,thedraeneipushedherselftoherlimits.Ifshecouldnotdoeven

thisone,thentherewasnohopewhatsoeveroffreeingtheimmensecaptive.

Thecrystal’sfrequencyaltered.ItwasveryslightandnotenoughasfarasIridiwasconcerned,but

itwasastart.Justalittlemoreeffort,shebelieved,andthisonewouldbefinished—

Ahowlofalarmechoedthroughthechamber.
Iridihadbeendiscovered.
Thepriestessmadeonelastconcentratedattackonthecrystal,thensteppedback.Skardyncameat

herfromallsides.

Sheusedthestafftoflingthenearestpairaway,thendismisseditandfoughttheonesthat

followedwithherhandsandfeet.Whiletheskardynoutsidehadusedwhipsandpikes,thoseherefor
themostpartwieldednoweapons.Whyshouldtheyhave?Theyhadobviouslyneverexpectedafoeto
appearinthisparticularchamber.

Butthatoneadvantagewasshort-lived.Iridicaughtsightofmoreskardynemergingfromholes

above.Someofthemhadwhipsboundaroundtheirwaists;otherscarriedalargepieceofmesh…anet
forher,nodoubt.

Oneofthedwarvesleaptontoherback,itssharpclawsrippingatthecloak.Thedraeneislipped

freeofthetravelcloak,atthesametimeusingittoentangleboththatfoeandanotherjustreachingfor
her.

Buttheywerecontinuingtoswarmfromeverywherearoundher.Iridistruckanotherinthechest

withthehardpartofherpalm.Theskardynhadhard,musculartorsosliketheircousins,andthe
draenei’sownbonesshook.

Shequicklylookedup.Theskardynwiththenetwerenearlyinpositiontotossitonherandthe

onessurroundingthepriestesskeptherfrommovingoutoftheway.

Then,theskardynsuddenlyhesitated.SeveralglancedpastIridi.
Shefeltawaveofenergyfillthechamberandfearedthat,inadditiontotheskardyn,thebloodelf

wasnowuponher.

Buttheskardynscattered,forgettingherasifshewerenothing.Eventhoseabovequicklycrawled

likespidersbackintotheirholes,draggingthenetwiththem.

Sheturned…andfacednotZendarin…butthemonstrousmageslayer.

VereesaandGrendahunchedtogetherastheskardynwatchedovertheircaptivecousins.Theyhad

noideawhytheyhadbeentakenalive,onlythatitbehoovedthemtofindsomemannerbywhichto
quicklyescape.Clearly,whateverfatethecreatures’mistresshadinmindwouldnotbeapleasantone.

“Noone’sseenRomanywhere,”Grendamurmured.“Heandfiveothersaremissing.Oneofthose,

Iknowforsureisdeadandthere’sthosethatcanclaimseein’twomoreslaughteredoutthere.”

Therangernodded.Theybothassumedtheworst.Nowwhatmatteredwaswhattodonextand,

withRomnomore,Grendawasinchargeofthedwarves.

“Weareinside,”thehighelfsaid.
“I’dbehappywiththatifweweren’tlockedupinherelikepigswaitin’tobeslaughtered.”
Indeed,thebandwassealedinasetofcrampedholesdugintothesideofthedimly-litcavern.Old

butstillreliableironbarshammeredintotherockkepttheprisonerssecure.Morethanhalfadozen
skardynactedasguards,withoneboreddragonspawnoverseeingthem.

Raskhadbeenthoroughinhavingthecaptivessearched.NoneoftheBronzebeardscould

volunteeranythingusefultodealwiththelocks,muchlesstheguardbeyond.

ButVereesawasstillnotsadtobeinside.Shewasclosenowtoherquarryand,shehoped,also

closetowhereverKrasuswasbeingheld.

“Keepwatchforme,”shewhisperedtoGrenda.
Asthedwarfobeyed,Vereesareachedtoherrightboot.Sheslowlyandcasuallyfeltforasmall

depressionnearthecalfarea….

“Theguardsarestraightening!”Grendahissed.“Someoneapproaches!”
Vereesamovedherhandawayjustasashadowpassedacrossthebars.Hereyeswidenedasshe

sawwhoitwas.

“Hello,mydearcousin….”
“Zendarin.”Therangerdidnotrushtothebars,whichshehopedattheveryleastwould

disappointthebloodelf,whonodoubtdesiredsuchareaction.

“Everthecalm,calculatingranger,”hemocked.“Areyoustillthatmuchoneofus,anymore?With

somuchhumantaintinyou,itwouldbeasurprise….”

“Oneshouldnotspeakoftaintwhohastakentodrainingthefoulmagicofdemons.”
“Youfindthatdistasteful?WearedoingmoreforAzeroththanalltheAlliancecombined!Weare

themostfearedoffoestheLegionhas!”

Stillseated,Vereesashookherhead.“YouarebecomingtheLegion,Zendarin…andtheonly

reasonanyofyoudothisisbecauseyouhungerforthatmagic.Youneedit.Withoutit,youwould
wither….”

Hesneered.“Notallofushavesuchareadysourcewithwhichtoindulgeourselvesdaily…and

nightly,cousin….”

“Ihavebeenfreeofthehungerforquitesometime,Zendarin…thanksespeciallytomyhusband,

thehuman.Hedidmoreformethananyofmyownkindcouldhave.Mychildrenareasignofmy
freedom,forIwouldneverhavedaredbringthemintothisworldifIhadremainedsickenedlike
you….”

Zendarinscowled,thensnappedhisfingers.Askardynsteppeduptothecelldoor.
Thebloodelfopenedhishand.AstaffakintoIridi’smaterializedinhisgrip.
“Stepout,cousin,”heorderedastheskardynunlockedthedoor.“Unlessyou’dliketowatchone

oftheseothersskinnedalive.”

Vereesahadnochoicebuttoobey.WavingoffasilentprotestfromGrenda,therangerleftthecell.
Hercousinlookedherupanddown.“Stillfit.Youmustrevelinyourhumanpet.Good!The

strongeryouare,thebetteryou’llserveher.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”
“She’sinconstantneedoflaborers,thedeathraterunningveryhigh….”BeforeVereesacould

retort,Zendarinsuddenlyordered,“Stillyourtongueandputyourhandsbehindyou.”Heemphasized
theorderwithathrustofthepointofthestaffatherthroat.

Therangerdidasshewastold.Zendarinpulledthestaffback,thenbroughtthecrystallinepointup

tothetopofherhead.Slowly,heloweredthepointuntilitfinallyaimedatthefloorbeneathherfeet.

“Ah.”Heraisedthestaffalittlehigher,thepointnowleveledwithhercalf.
Vereesagasped.Hercalffeltasifonfire.
“Surelyyouarestrongerthanthat,”hercousinremarkedcoldly.“Youdon’tknowwhatitisliketo

trulyburn….”

Therefollowedatearingsound—andtheslim,metalbladethattherangerhadkeptsecretedinher

bootflewout.ItlandednexttoZendarin,themetalstillorange-hot.

Favoringherotherleg,Vereesasimplystaredatthebloodelf.
“Iknewthattherewouldbesomething.Notonlyisarangerversatile,butsoisthelineof

Windrunner….”

“Youareastainontheline,Zendarin.”
Hescoffed.“Anymorethanonewhosleepswithahuman,evenbreedswiththem?Anymorethan

abanshee,perhaps?Iamfarfromthedarkeststainonourfamily;infact,Iamitsfuture!”

Shesaidnothing,stillbitterabouthiscomments.Theonesconcerningherwerenotsoterrible;she

hadfacedtheprejudicesofbothherkindandRhonin’sand,forthemostpartturnedthosewiththe
prejudicesintobelievers.No,itwasmorehiscommentaboutsomethingsoaccursedasabanshee.

Abanshee,likehersister,Sylvanas.
ButSylvanaswasasituationforanothertime,perhapsanotherlife.
“Silencebecomesyou.”Zendaringesturedforhertoreturntothecell.Hebrieflypointedthestaff

atthedwarveswhileVereesarejoinedGrenda.“Ah.Everyoneelseisbeinggood,Isee.Nootherhidden
blades…”

Theskardynhadbeengoodaboutsearchingtheircousins,butnotwithVereesa.Now,Zendarin

haddealtwiththatsituation.

“Yourpoor,poorchildren,”headded,staringatherthroughtheironbars.“Howwilltheyfeel

whentheydiscoverthattheirmotherhasabandonedthem?Well,soontheywillhavetheiruncleto
consolethem…andraisethemaftertheirfather,too,failstoreturn.”

Thistime,Vereesaletoutacryofrage.Sheleaptbacktothebars,herhandsseekingZendarin,

whohadalreadysteppedback.Helaughed,theskardynandthedragonspawnjoiningin.

“Ihaveenjoyedthisfamilyreunion,”hefinished.“Itmakesmemoreeagerthanevertorenewmy

acquaintancewithmynephews….”

Dismissingthestaff,helefttheprisoners.Thedragonspawnmovedtothecell,whippingVereesa

back.

“Sit!”thebehemothroared.Then,satisfiedthattheywereundercontrol,thedragonspawnreturned

toitspost.

Therangerscowledathercaptors,thengrudginglyreturnedtoGrenda.
“I’msorryaboutallthat,”thedwarfwhispered.“Maybeyourmalewillbeabletostophim,being

awizardandall….”

“Rhonin’sskillsaside,Ihavenointentionofplacingallmyhopesonthat,”Vereesaanswered,her

expressionfarmorecalmthanmomentsbefore.“WewillbeescapingandIwillfaceZendarinagain…
ofthatIwillatleastswear.”

Herhandslippedtoherotherboot.There,shecarefullyslidoutofanotherslotanothersmall

blade.However,wheretheotherhadbeencraftedofmetal,thisoneappearedtobeofiridescentpearl.

“Gimmel’sblood!”Grendamurmured.“Buthowdidyouhidethatfromyourcousin?”
“Hesearchedforweapons,seekingthosemadeasonemightexpect.Rhonincraftedthisforme,a

simplebutstrongblademadefromthebountyofthesea.Thereisnomagicinit.Unlessheknewto
lookforthebladeinparticular,thechancesweresmallthathewouldfindit,forhisspellwouldsimply
thinkitpartoftheboot’scrafting.”

TheBronzebeardshookherhead.“Whatwizards’llconjureup!”
“Thesuggestionwasmine.Thecraftinghis.”Amoistnessescapedoneeye.“Togetherweare

strongerthaneachisseparately.”Steelingherself,shecontinued,“Wemustescapeatthefirst
opportunity—”

Theywereinterruptedbyanotherarrival…thistimeadrakonid.Vereesastudiedthecreature,butit

wasnotRask.

“Takeone!”thedrakonidordered.
Theskardynunlockedthedoor.Withwhipstheydrovetheircousinsback,thencutoffalone

warriorfromtherest.Twoskardyndraggedhimout.

Themomenttherestoftheguardshadretreated,thedwarveschargedforward.Unfortunately,they

werenotabletokeepthecellfrombeinglockedagain,norcouldtheydoanythingfortheircomrade
exceptshoutangrilyashewastakenaway.

Skardynbeganwhippingatthebars.Thedwarvesfinallyfellback.
Thedrakonidlaughed.“Yourturns.Theywillcome.Allservethemistress.”
Withthat,theblackbeastfollowedaftertheothers.
“What’lltheydowithUdin?”askedayoungerdwarf.
“Torture’imtoseeifthere’sanyofusstilloutthere,mostlikely!”answeredanotherfighter.
Grendaturnedontheseconddwarf.“Areyoudaft,Falwulf?Didn’tyouhearwhatthatbloodelf

saidbefore?They’renotinterestedifoneortwoofusarestilloutthere;theywanttomakeusinto
slaves….”

Anuneasyrumblingspreadthroughtheprisoners.Dwarveswerefighters;givethemanenemy

withaweapon,andtheywoulddobattleeventotheirdeaths.Therewasnohonorinslavery.

GrendalookedtoVereesa.“Ifyou’vegotanideaofhowwecanescapeandescapefast,now

wouldbeagoodtimetostartonit….”

Theranger’sgazewentfromhercompaniontotheskardynkeepingwatch.“Itmaycostsome

lives….”

“Betterthatthanwhatwe’relookin’forwardto.”
“Asyouwish,then.”Vereesahidthebladeinherpalm.Sheleanedbacksoastonotstirthe

guard’sinterest.“Geteveryonepreparedtoactonmysignal.Wemustallmovetogether…evenifonly
intheendwebuyourselvesaquickdeath.”

“Aye.”Grendacasuallyturnedtoacomrade.Asthehighelfwatched,thedwarfbegantopasson

word.TherewouldbenohesitationfromanyoftheBronzebeards.AsGrendahadindicated,whatother
choicedidtheyhave?

Frombeyondthechamberwheretheircellslay,therecameahideouscry.Itwasmercifullyshort,

butthesoundremainedburnedinalltheirminds.

“ThatwasUdin,”utteredtheyoungerwarriorwhohadaskedabouttheotherprisonerearlier.
Amongtheskardyn,therewasrough,mockinglaughter.Oneofthemleanedclosetothebarsand,

forthefirsttime,spokesomethingintelligible.

“Allfightgonefromhim.Hegoodslavenow…”Theferaleyessurveyedthecaptives.“Whowant

tobenext?”

Theotherskardynlaughedagain.

FIFTEEN

hemageslayertoweredoverher.Iridiknewnothingofitskindsavewhatshehadgleanedfrom

Krasus.Byrights,sheshouldhavebeenfairlysafefromitsabilities,butthiscreaturehadbeen
transformedintosomethingmoremenacing.

Sheseizedarockandthrewit.Asthepriestessexpected,themissileflewthroughwithoutpause.
Thedraeneihadnochoice.Shesummonedthestaffevenknowingthatitspowermightbeused

againsther.

Themageslayermovedinsilence.Thatmadeitallthemoreunnerving.Iridipointedthestaffand

focused.

Abluelighteruptedfromthestaff,strikingthemageslayer—
Andimmediatelyafter,flyingbackatthestartleddraenei.
Iridiwassenthurtlingaway.Shereleasedhergriponthestaff,andquicklytwistedintheair.A

momentlater,thepriestesscrashedintotheground.

Mostwouldhavebeenleftunconsciousorevendead,butthepriestess’strainingenabledherto

landrolling,thenendupinacrouchedposition.Eventhen,though,Iridiwasleftdisoriented.Ittookher
amomenttolocatethemageslayer,amomentshedidnothave.

Asecondburstofbluelightalmostcrushedherintothefloor.Thedraeneibarelydodgedoutofthe

path.Itdidnotseemrighttoherthatthemonstercouldsendthestaff’spowerbacktwice;thatshould
havebeenanimpossibility.Shecouldonlyassumethatthiswasanotherbenefitofthetransformation.

Skardyninhervicinityranoffasifonfire.Thatnoneofthesefoulcreatures—supposedlyserving

thesameentity—desiredtobeanywherenearthemageslayerdidnotbodewell.

Iridisuddenlynoticedthatthenetherdragonsoughtherattention.Thedraeneisummonedthestaff

back.

There…there…Zzerakumanaged.That…
“That”wasanaltarwhosebaseincludedwhatappearedtobecarvingsshapedlikedragons.

Restingonitwasacubeofsomebluishtint.Therewassomethingaboutthecubethatmadethedraenei
hesitanttodrawnearit.

Thestaff…thenetherdragonstruggledtocontinue.Itmightstirthecube…mightbeginthe

feeding…

Iridihadnoideawhathemeantbythelast,onlythatthecubewaspossiblyheronlyhope.She

dismissedthestaffagain,then,asthemageslayerneared,performedanathleticleapoveritsveryhead.

Whatvaguelyresembledaclawedappendagegrabbedforher,barelymissing.Themageslayer

turnedasthedraeneilanded.Itsmidsectionhadturneddarker.

Ablacklightshotoutather.
Thepriestessavoidedbeingstruck,butaskardynseekingtofleefrombehindhermovedtooslow.

Thelightenvelopedit—andwithasqueal,theskardynwentspinningintothenearestwall,strikingso
hardthatIridicouldhearitsbonescrack.Thedeadskardynslidinanungainlylumptothefloor.

Beforethemageslayercouldstrikeagain,thedraeneireachedthealtar.PrayingthatZzerakuhad

notsteeredherterriblywrong,Iridisummonedthenaarustaff.

Thecenterofthemageslayerdarkenedagain.
Iridipointedthecrystalatthecube.
Think…thinkofthecreature…Zzerakusuddenlywarned.Thenuse…thestaff…
Shedidastold,imaginingtheabominationinhermind.
Thestafffedpowerintothecube.Thecubeflaredbright—
Aneerie,whistlingsoundfilledthechamber.Iridibelatedlyrealizedthatitcamefromthe

mageslayer.

Themonsterlostallcohesion.Asaswirlingmassofenergy,themageslayerflewtowardthe

draenei…thensuddenlysankintothecubewithoutatrace.

Thepriestessstoodtheredisbelieving.
Beware!Zzerakuwarned.
Someoftheskardynbeganrecoveringfromtheirownsurpriseandfearenoughtorecallthatthere

wasstillanintruder.Theystartedforher.

Shespunaround.Theywerecomingfromallsidesagain.Sheraisedthestaff—
Andsuddenlytherewasarobedfigurewithredhairstandingnexttoher.Hewrappedhisarms

aroundthedraeneibeforeshecouldreact.

“Damnit!You’renother!”
Beforeshecouldrespond,thecavernchamberdisappeared.Iridicriedoutinfrustration.“No!”
Shewasoutsideagain.Outsidethemountthatshehadsodesperatelytriedtoenter.
“No!”thepriestessrepeated.“No!”
“Bequiet!”Therobedfigurespunheraround.Forthefirsttime,shesawthathewashuman.

Underthethick,fieryhair,eyesofbrightemeraldgreenstaredbackather.Hewasnotunhandsomefor
oneofhiskind,althoughhisnosehadclearlybeenbrokensometimefarinthepast.Hehadastrongjaw
andangularfeaturesandastubbornexpressionthatwellmatchedhisredhair.

Onthebreastofhisrobehadbeensewnaneyeofgoldonafieldofviolet.Belowtheeyewere

threedaggers,alsogold,thatpointeddownward.

IridirecognizedthesymbolofDalaran.
“YouarethewizardRhonin,mateofthehighelf,Vereesa,”shequietlydeclared.
“Youknowher?Youknowwheresheis?Itriedtolocateherandsensedsomemagicalforcesin

play.Vereesa’salwaysinthemiddleofsuchthings….”Hecursedathimself.“Itriedsomethingandit
failed.Butatleastyou’resafe.”

“ButIneedtogetbackinside!Iwastryingtofreethenetherdragon—”
Thespellcasterlookedasifsheweremad.“Whyintheworldwouldyoudosomethingthatmad?

I’veheardfromthosewho’veseenwhattheycando!Destroythecreature,maybe,butfreeit?”

“I’veseenintohismind.Zzerakumeansnoill.He’sdoneterriblethingsinthepast,buthe’s

changednow….”

“Assimpleasthat,isit?Andyou’reabsolutelycertainyoureadhimtrue?”
“Iam…andIwillnotbackdownonthis.Hemustbefreedandformanyreasons….”Thedraenei

dismissedherstaff.“Heisthekeytowhateverisgoingon.They’reusingZzerakutocreatesome
terriblecreature….”

Rhoningrimaced.“Itneverends,doesit?NeveranytruepeaceforAzeroth…gods,IwishKrasus

werehereatleast!”

Itdidnotsurprisethepriestesstolearnthatthewizardknewthereddragon.Withsome

trepidation,shesaid,“KrasusisalsoinGrimBatol…asaprisoner.”

“That’snotpossible.Nothim…”
“Hesentmetosafetyjustbeforeheandayoungerbluedragon—Kalec—werecaptured.There

wasamageslayer—”

“Thatwouldn’tstophim,”Rhoninscoffed.
“Therewassomethingdifferentaboutit,heindicated.IthadbeenenhancedbythoseinGrim

Batol.”

Asoundfromthedirectionofthemountainmadethembothstill.Rhonintookholdofherarm.“I

shouldbeabletodothisonemoretime.JumpingintoGrimBatoltookmorethanevenIthought.”

“We’regoingbackinside?”
Hegaveheraharshlaugh.“Notatthemoment,notifyoudon’twanttoendupapartofthemount

itselffortherestofeternity.No,I’msendingussomewheresafer…relativelyspeaking.”

Rhonin’sbrowfurrowedinconcentration.Iridistartedtoprotestagain.Surely,he,ofallpeople,

understoodtheneedtoreturntoGrimBatol.

Butitwastoolate.Theairaroundthepaircrackled…andbothvanishedoncemore.

Krasusfloatedinanoppressivedarkness,thesensethatitwasseekingtocrushhimeverprevalent.

Hehadheardstoriesofconfinementinchrysalunchambers,horribletalesofdragonsandothermagical
beingsdrivenmadbyyears,decades,evencenturiesofentrapment.Time,afterall,didnotflowinside
asitdidinthetrueworld.Forallheknew,hisfriendsandcomradeswerealllongdeadandwhatever
evilSinestrahadbirthedinthepitsofGrimBatolhadwreakedhavocalloverAzeroth.

No!Thathasnothappened!Notyet!Thedragonmageberatedhimselfforsuchdireassumptions.

Deathwing’sconsortintendedtousehismagicalessencetofeedherabominations;therefore,therewas
stillhope…atleastforallsaveKalec.

Hemournedtheblue’sviolentpassing.Thethinginthepit,thethingalreadysowell-adaptedat

shieldingitselffrompowerfuldragons,hadsurelymadeagrislymealoutofKalec.ItinfuriatedKrasus
thathehadbeenunabletodoanythingtosavehiscompanion,infuriatedhimmorethatnoonehadbeen
abletodependuponhim.HehadnoideawhathadhappenedtoIridi.Indesperation,hehadtransported
hertotheoneareathatheknewofaroundGrimBatol—knowledgegleanedfromthoseofhiskindwho
hadstoodguardovertheevilmount—wheremagicwasdifficulttouse.There,shewouldhaveatleast
hadachancetorecoverand,ifwise,abandontheareaassoonaspossible.

Krasusdoubtedthatshehaddoneso.
Notforthefirsttime,thedragonmagetestedthelimitsofhisprison.Itwasironicthat,inhereof

allplaces,hewasmoreathisfullstrengththananywhereelseinandaroundGrimBatol.Thechamber
wasapocketuniverseinitself,onethatdrewuponthevictim’sownmagictokeepthelatter
imprisoned.Yet,italsocuthimofffromSinestra’sspellworkandwhatevertrulykepthimsoweakin
themount.

Buthecouldnotjustwaithereuntiltheblackdragonfreedhimforherdiabolicalspells.Krasus

wasnoordinaryprisoner;hewaswellawareofthehistoryofchrysalunchambers,forweretheynotthe
workofdragons,afterall?

Initially,thechambershadbeendesignedforvariedpurposesdependingonwhichdragonflight

hadcreatedthem,butfirstandforemosttheyhadallbeenintendedtotrapcreaturesandbeingsof
magicalthreat…demons,madspellcasters,elementals,andthelike.Thosespecificallycreatedbythe
blackflighthadbeenintendedforuseagainstwildenergiesandthelikethatthreatenedtheveryearth
itself.

Yet,thathadchangedforeverafteranewly-insaneNeltharion,furiousathislossoftheDemon

SoulovertheWellofEternity,hadsometimeafterwardalteredthosecreatedbyhisflightforthefoul
purposeoftrappinghisimaginedenemies.Theotherflightshadquicklymovedtolocatethechambers
and,inadditiontothoseoftheEarth-Warder,hadsupposedlyforeversealedthemawaywherethey
couldnotbefound.

Butoverthecenturies,afewhadmadetheirwaybackintotheworld…andperhapsthisonehad

neverevenbeenuncoveredbefore.

Krasusgrewfrustrated.Perhapshehadbeenwrong.Perhapshisknowledgeofthehistoryofthe

foulboxeswasnotsomethingthatwouldservehimafterall—

Thedragonmagehesitated.Orwouldit?Oneparticularpointsuddenlystruckhim.Chrysalun

chambersrequiredmucheffort,whichwaswhytherewerethankfullysofew.Evensomeofthosehad
notbeenentirelystable.Theyhadhadfaults…

Itwasadesperatehope,buttheonlyhopehecurrentlyhad.Krasusfocusedhismindandreached

out.

Butatfirst,allhesensedwashisoppressiveimprisonment.Krasusshudderedandbrieflythehope

thatSinestrawouldneedhimquicklyforherexperimentflashedthroughhismind.Heimmediately
rejectedthenotion,butwondered,ifhefailedtoescape,howlongitwouldbebeforeheprayedforit
again.

Oncemore,Krasusconcentrated.Forthemostpart,itwashisownmagicalessencehesensed,but

gradually,henoticedanother.

ItwasnotofAzerothinorigin.
Hopesraised,Krasusfixedonit.Therewassomethingfamiliaraboutit,somethingthatreminded

himof—

Yes,thatwasit.Thiswas,ofcourse,theverychamberinwhichthenetherdragonhadsurelybeen

contained.

Whetherornotthatbetteredhischances,thedragonmagecouldnotsay.Thenetherdragon’s

energieswerelikenothingthatthecreatorofthishellishprisoncouldhaveimagined.

Krasusprobeddeeperintothedesign.Therewereoddvariationsthatcouldonlybetheworkofthe

originalcaster,perhapsNeltharionorevenhisconsort.Krasusgrewlessconfidentthattherewouldbe
anyadvantageafterall.Whoeverhadcreatedthisparticularartifacthadbeeneagertoexperiment.

ButstillKrasushadtotry.Heinspectedthemagicfoundationofthebox,seekingsomedisruption

fromthenetherdragon’sincarcerationthatmighthavecreatedaflaw.Thatflawwouldbehisbest
chanceofescape.Heneededto—

Thedragonmagefrownedsuddenly.Therewasanothervariationinthespellmatrixofthe

chrysalunchamber.Ithadnotbeenforgedbythesamehandthathadcreatedallelse.However,itmade
nosense…unlessithadbeencausedbythenetherdragon.

Krasusinspecteditfurther.
Hisprisonsuddenlyshifted,throwinghimabout.Thedarknessturnedtogray,thenblackagain.

Krasuswassentspinning—

Hereactedinstinctively,hisbodycontortingandhisarmsandlegsstretchingandbendingatangles

notconformingtohiselvenshape.Clawsburstfromhisfingers.Scalescoveredhisskinashisnoseand
mouthstretchedforwardintoalong,sharpmuzzle.Wingssproutedfromhisbackashisrobesfadedto
nothing.

Beatinghismassivewings,Korialstraszslowed,thenhaltedhisflight.Theredleviathanroared

fromthepainfuleffort.

Asheregainedhisequilibrium,Korialstrasztriedtomakesenseofwhathadhappened.Hissimple

probingoftheareainquestionhadturnedhisentireprisononitshead.

Clearly,thenetherdragonhadcomemuchclosertofreedomthanhehadimagined.Unfortunately

forthecreature,hehadnothadthecunningorknowledgetobenefitfromhisveryuniqueness.

ButnowKorialstrasz’shopesheightened.Therewasgreatrisk,butriskwasbetterthaneither

eternityorawaitinghiscaptor’ssummons.Sinestrawouldsurelybewellpreparedforhimwhenshe
openedthechamberagain.Itbehoovedtheredtomakehisescape,ifhecould.

Withmuchmoredelicacy,Korialstraszsurveyedtheweakenedareaagain,observingcarefullyhow

itweakenedtheoverallmatrix.Itdidnotsurprisehimtoquicklydiscoverthattheoddenergiesofa
netherdragoncouldaffectthematrixalmostlikeavirusinamortalbody.Thetwoforceswereenough
alikethatnowtheessenceoftheformercaptivehadrestructuredtheoriginalspellworkintoapattern
neverconceivedbythechrysalunchamber’screator.

Andwherethespellmatrixhadbeenmostaffected,therethereddragonfoundwhathefeltwasthe

weaklink,thepointwhereheneededtoconcentratehisefforts.

Withtheeyeofonewhohadstudiedtheworkingsofmagicperhapssecondonlytothegreatestof

thebluedragons,Korialstraszslowlypickedhiswaythroughtheaberration.Hefinallyfoundthethread
thathefeltwould,ifremovedcarefully,causetheresttobecomeundoneand,theoretically,openthe
wayforhim.

Alreadyfeelingclaustrophobic,Korialstraszbegangingerlyseveringthelink.Immediatelyhefelt

theentirechamberquiver.Thedarknessbecameslightlygrayeragain.Thereddragongrewmorebold
inhiswork.Freedomwasclose—

Theaberrationcompletelydisintegrated,notatallwhathehadwanted.Thematrixbecamefrayed,

withthefrayedareaspreading.Korialstraszquicklysoughttorebindit,butthedamagewasalready
morethanhecouldovercome.Thestrainontherestofthespellworkkeepingthechamberintact
increasedathousandfold.

Thechambercollapsed,thegraynesspressinginonthereddragonfromallsides.Korialstrasz

screamed,hisprison’sabruptdestructionunleashingnewandterribleforcesthatthreatenedtoriphim
apart.Korialstraszwascaughtinamaelstromthatgrewtohorrendousproportions.Tryashemight,the
dragoncoulddonothingtokeepfromspinningtowardit.

Thatthiswasalltakingplaceinacontainernotevenlargeenoughontheoutsidetoseemingly

holdmuchmorethananappledidinnomannerassuageKorialstrasz.Forhim,itwasasifAzerothhad
beendestroyedandtheuniversewereabouttojoinit.Hehadwantedtobefreeofthechrysalun
chamberandhehadgottenhiswish…perhapsmuchtohiseternalregret.

Thegreatwingsbeatagainandagain,thestrainoffightingagainstsuchpowerfulprimalforces

quicklybringingKorialstrasztothepointofexhaustedpanting.Theeyeofthemaelstromloomed
beforehim,aswirlingmassofgray,black,andcrimson.

Ashenearedtheeye,invisibleforcespresseddowneverharderonthedragon.Hisbonesfeltasif

readytocrushtopowder,hisfleshasifabouttobesqueezedtopulp.Inallhislongexistence,hehad
neverknownsuchunendurableagony.

Atthatpoint,thedragondecidedthattherewasbutonethinghecoulddo.Itofferedthepotential

forevengreatersufferingandamuchworsedeath,butalsotheslightestofhopes.

Concentratingasbesthecould,Korialstraszfocusedallhismagiconprotectinghimself.Theeffort

strainedhimmore,andhenearlyblackedout.Yet,intheendhisspellsheld.

Theredleviathanstudiedthemaelstrom,seekingtheexactcenter.Ithadtobeexact.Anythingelse

wascertainsuicide.

Beatinghiswingsashardashecould,Korialstrasznolongerfoughtagainstthemaelstrom’spull,

butratherembracedit.Hesoaredforth,speedingintoitsmawandprayingthatwhateverhappened,it
wouldhappenswiftly.

Andasheenteredit,Korialstraszscreamedagain…andagain…andagain—

SIXTEEN

inestraslept.

Thatshemightdosoevenwhenhersenseswarnedherthattherewereotherintrudersaboutspoke

notofherexhaustion,butofherconfidence.Shewascertainofherimpendingtriumph,certainthatany
oftheverminseekingtopreventitwouldsoonbeeithereradicatedorserveherinsomemanneror
another.

Sheslept,asshealwaysdid,forbutonlyafewminutesatatime.Therehadbeenperiodswhen

shehadgonemorethanacenturywithoutslumber.Thiswasnotnormalformostofherkind,but
Sinestrahadonlycontemptfortheothers,eventhoseoftheblackflight.Inhermind,theonlydragons
worthexistinginherimaginedworldwereherselfandhernewchildren.

Stillinhermortalformandlyingatopabedofstone,shesleptaloneinavastchamberdeeperthan

anyothershecurrentlyusedforherexperiments.Downhere,therewasnothingtodisturbher.

Downhere,shecouldlistentothevoiceinherheadfarmoreclearly.
Allgoesasplanned,itsaidoverandover.AllgoesasplannedandDargonaxgrowslarger….The

nextgenerationwilldwarfevenhim…andbeathousandtimesmorepowerful…

“Athousandmoretimes…”Sinestramurmuredinhersleep.“Athousandmoretimes…”
Athousandmoretimespowerful…andtheywillcrushtheotherdragons…crushthemall…theday

ofthedragonisatanend…nowcomesthetwilight…thenight…

“Thenight…”
Butthenightshallbefollowedbyanewday…thefirstdayofthechildren’srule…thefirstdayofa

newgoldenageofdragons…

“Anew…goldenage—”
Sinestrastarted.Hereyesflashedopenandalookofintenseangerspreadoverherface.
“Korialstrasz!”theblackdragonroared.Sheleapttoherfeet.“Buthowcouldhe—howcouldhe

—?”

Andthen,oddly,LadySinestra’sexpressiontransformed.Insteadofshock,anger,and

outrage…satisfactionspreadacrosshermaimedfeatures.

“Yes…ofcourse…howdelicious…howperfectlytimed!Thankyou,Korialstrasz…thankyou…”
Withasmile,shehurriedouttofindZendarin….

Anotherdragonstirredatthatsamemoment,adragonwhowascertainthathewasdead.Itwasnot

Korialstrasz,though,butrathertheblue,Kalec.

Hisfirstdiscoverywasthathewasnot,afterall,dead.That,though,didnotexplainthedarkness

thatsurroundedhim,adarknessthatfelt…insomeobsceneway…almostalive.

AndthenKalecrecalledwhathadhappenedtohimbeforehehadblackedout.Herememberedthe

pitwheretheyhaddumpedthehugecorpsesandthediscoverythatthepitwasnotempty.

Notempty…
Kalecsummonedhisblade.Theblue-tintedweaponmaterialized,butonlyasadullshadowof

whatitshouldhavebeen.Thenextmoment,itsimplyfadedaway.

“Mustnot…mustnotdothat…”
EachsyllableliterallystruckachordoffearinKalec,eventhoughhewasnotonegiventothat

emotion.Thebluedragontriedagaintocallfortheblade,butthistimetherewasnotevenahintofits
existence.

“Mustnotdothat…”thevoicerepeated.“…orshewillknow…”
She.Therewasnoquestionastowhomthevoicereferred.ItcouldonlymeanSinestra.
“Who—whoareyou?”Kalecfinallyasked.
“Iamherchild….”
“Whereareyou?Letmeseeyou!”
“Iamherebeforeyou….”TherewasadeepamethystglowandinitKalecbeheldanimmense

shape.Itwasdragoninform,yetseemedtoflowasifnotentirelysolid.Itresembledsomewhatwhathe
knewanetherdragonwassupposedtolooklike,butwasalsomore.

Shimmeringorbsobservedthebluedragoninturn.Kalecsuddenlyfeltasifthoseeyeshadbeen

staringathimallthetimethathehadbeenunconsciousandthatnotionsentnewchillsthroughhim.

“Whatareyou?”heasked.
“Herchild…”
Kalecgrimaced.Hewasnotcertainwhetherthevaguely-seencreaturewasasnaiveashesounded

orsimplytoyingwiththebluedragon.

Hedecidedtotryanewtack.“Doyouhaveaname?”
Therewasapause,then,“Ihaveaname….ShecallsmeDargonax….”
“‘Dargonax?’”Kalec’swarinessmagnifiedathousandfold.Heknewthemeaningofthatname

fromthetongueofhiskind.

Dargonax…Devourer…
“Doyoulikeit?”themurkyformasked.“Ilikeit.”
“Itisa…strongname.”
“Itmeans‘Devourer’…inthedragontongue,shesays,”Dargonaxadded,quicklydestroyingany

hopethebluehadthatthecreaturewasignorantofthefoulmeaning.“Youareadragon….”

Kalecsurreptitiouslytriedtosummonamagicblade,anythingthathecoulduseagainstthe

creature.Nowtheblueknewthathewasbeingtoyedwith.

“Iamadragon,too….”Dargonaxmovedforward,themurkinesspeelingbackasjustenoughto

allowKalectoseethattheshapewasdefinitelythatofadragon,butnotoneofthenetherones.
Dargonaxwasmuch,muchmore.

Butthemysteriousdragondidnotfullyrevealhimself.Indeed,hepulledback,growingoncemore

akintoashadow.Kalechadnoideawhetheritwassomeabilityofhis,somespell,orsometrickofthe
pit,fortherewereunsettlingenergiesinplayaroundthemandnotallweredirectlyassociatedwith
Dargonax…althoughsurelyhewasaffectedbytheirpresence.

KalecwonderedifevenSinestraunderstoodwhatshewasgrowinginthispit.
Hesteeledhimselfforwhatwouldsurelybehisimminentend.“Wearebothdragons,yes.”
“Thenweshouldbefriends….”
Thestatementtookthebluedragonaback.HecouldfathomnoreasonwhyDargonaxwouldneed

hisassistance.SurelyitwoulddohimmoreusetoswallowKalecwhole,aneasytaskconsideringthat,

inadditiontobeingunabletousehisinherentpowers,thebluecouldnotevenshapeshift.Hehad
alreadysecretlyattemptedtodosomorethanonceandtheonlyexplanationforhisfailurehadtobe
somethingthathissurrealcompanionwasdoing.

ItoccurredtoKalecthenthatDargonaxwassurelyonlydays—perhapsafewweeksatbest—old.
Howterriblewouldhebeashefurthermatured?Anddidheevenneedtomature?Thebeast

seemedalreadyhuge.

KrasushadwarnedKalecagainstevenpretendingtodealwiththebloodelfandsurelywouldhave

counseledagainstdoingthesamehere,butthebluedoubtedthathehadanyrealchoice.Dargonaxhad
draggedhimdownhereinthefirstplace,andtheonlyreasonthathehadnotdevouredKalecashehad
thedragonspawn—fortherewerenosignsofthecorpsesanywhere—wasthatthebehemothdidtruly
needhim.

Butexactlyforwhatwasthequestion.
“Yes,”thebluefinallyresponded.“Weshouldbefriends.”
“Good…good…andfriends,theyhelpfriends,yes?Isthatright?”
Forabeingwhohadlikelyneverbeenoutofthepit,Dargonaxwasalreadywell-versedinmanyof

thenuancesoflife.Sinestrahadwroughtsomethingterrible.

“Friendshelpfriends,”heagreed.“Bothhelpeachother.”
“Sotheydo—”Dargonaxbrokeoff.Then,muchtoKalec’sshock,theother’svoiceresonatedin

theblue’shead.Shecomes!Besilentandstill!

AlthoughstillrecoveringfromhissurpriseatDargonax’sabilitytospeaktohimthroughhismind,

Kalecneverthelessmanagedtoobey.Therewasnoneedtoaskjustwhothecreaturemeant.Since
Anveena’ssacrifice,Kalechadbecomeveryrecklesswherehislifewasconcerned,buthealsostillheld
tighttohissenseofduty.HewouldnotserveMalygoswellbylettingSinestraknowthathehad
survived.Theblueplantedhimselftightagainstthewallandtriedtosummontheshieldthathehad
earliercreated.

Butstillnothinghappened.
Then,hefeltwhatalmostseemedawingcoveroverhim.Kalecwasimmersedinshadow…

shadowwithhintsofamethystinit.

Barelyabreathlater,heheardSinestra…andanother.
“Heismissing,”shehissedathercompanion.
“Yourold‘friend’?”Theothervoicewasthatofthebloodelf.“Fromthechrysalunchamber?How

isthatevenpossible—unless—perhapshiscompanionsurvived.Maybehelettheotherout.”

Kalecgrimaced,caughtbetweenhopeandconcern.HesuspectedthattheyspokeofKrasus,which

meantthattheredhadsomehowescapedachrysalunchamberofallthings.Thatwasallforthegood,
butnowZendarinhad,byhismistakennotion,putintoSinestra’smindthethoughtthatthebluelived.

“Dargonaxhasfeastedonthatone,”Sinestrareplied.Yet,therewasahintofquestioninhertone.

Then…“Besides,thechamberwasdestroyedfromtheinside.”

“I’veneverheardofsuchafeat!Howcouldhemanagethat?”
“Heiswhoheis;thatishowhecouldmanagetheimpossible!Makenomistakeofit,mydear

Zendarin;heistheonefactthatIconsideraconcern.”

“Andyetyoubroughthimhere.”
“Hewouldhavecome,”sheretorted.“Healwayscomes.Healwaysinterferes.Thatishisnature.

Thebestwaytodealwiththatwastomakehimcomeonmyterms,atmyurging.”Therewasanother
pause,then,“HemustbeevenweakernowandifIknowhim,hewillhavefledbelow.Heknowsthat
mustbewheretogo.Iwantyoutosendyourpetafterhim—”

“I’ddothat,mylady,exceptthatthedamnedbeasthasn’trespondedtoanearliersummons!The

lastItracedit,thethingwasinthevicinityofthenetherdragonandsincethen…nothing.”

Sinestraletoutalong,angryhiss.“Howcunning!Korialstraszmusthaveslippedaroundand

soughttofreethenetherdragon!Go!Seekyourmageslayer—”

Kalecdidnothearthebloodelfdepart,butassumedthathewouldbewiseenoughtoobeyher.

Thebluestartedtospeak,butthensensedthathisunsettlingcompaniondidnotwishhimtodoso.

“Mysweetchild…”shecooedinamannerthatturnedthebluedragon’sbloodcold.Herfuryhad

nowbeenreplacedbyamalevolentconfidence.Itwasasifshehadbecomeanutterlydifferentbeing
fromtheonethemomentbefore.“Cometome,mysweetchild….”

Dargonaxmovedupward,everkeepinghisindistinctformbetweenKalecandthedarklady.

“Missstressss…”

TheshiftinDargonax’sspeechstartledKalecnearlyasmuchasSinestra’sodd,abruptchangein

attitude.Thecreaturesoundedmuchyounger,muchlessdeveloped.

Muchlessofathreat?
“MyDargonax…myfirstbornofanewworld…isthereanythingyouwouldtellyourmother?”
“Hungrrrrry…”
Sinestrachuckled.“Ofcourse,youare.Fearnot,mydarling.Soonyoushallbefed,fedasyou

neverhavebeenbefore,ohyes…butfromthereafter,youmustlearntostaveoffyourhunger.Therewill
soonbeotherstofeed,brothersandsistersinmultitudes….”

Brothersandsistersinmultitudes.Kalecimaginedadozen,ahundredmorelikeDargonax.What

wouldbecomeofAzeroth,then?Hedoubtedthattheseneweroneswouldbeasunstableasthepairthat
heandtheothershadfought.Andeveniftheycouldeventuallybestopped,howmuchbloodshedand
destructionwouldtheyhavecommittedbythen?

KalecthoughtofthesacrificethatAnveenahadmadetohelpherworldbegintheroadtorecovery.

Allthatmightbefornaughtifmoreofthesedragonshatched.

Herecalledabriefconversationthathe,Krasus,andIridihadhadshortlyafterthestruggle.While

eating,Iridihadmentionedherimpressionsofthedragons,whowerenotblack,blue,ornether.The
wordtwilighthadcometoher,awordveryaptinsomanywaystothesemonstrousbeings,ifDargonax
andthepairwereeventheleastoftheirexample.Thedraeneihadcalledthemtwilightdragons.

AndtheymightjustbethevesselsbywhichAzeroth’sowntwilightwouldhappen.
Caughtinsuchthoughts,hemissedwhatSinestrasaidnext.OnlyDargonax’sreplyenabledhimto

figureoutwhatitwas.

“Yes…mother…”thecreatureansweredinhisfalsechild-talk.“Wanttoshare…wantthem

strong…”

SinestrahadobviouslybeenemphasizingthefactthatDargonaxcouldnolongerexpecttobethe

focusofallherefforts,thathewouldhavenochoicewhenshebeganfeedinghimlessmagicalenergy
sothatshecoulduseitonthenextgeneration.ButevenifDargonax’screatordidnotnoticethetiny
hintofireinthetwilightdragon’svoice,Kaleccertainlydid…andnowheknewwhyhisshadowy
companionlefthiddentoSinestrahisrapidmaturing.

Dargonaxwasjealousofthesiblingstocome.
Suddenly,althoughhehadmadenosound,nomovement,thebluedragonsensedachangein

Sinestra.Thatwasverifiedalltoowellamomentlater,whenshesnapped,“Whatisthatintherewith
you?”

“Nnnothing…”
“Nothing?”
DargonaxscreamedandonlybecausehisroarwassolouddidKalec’sowncrygounheard.The

bluedragonsuddenlyfeltasifmoltenearthratherthanbloodnowflowedthroughhisveins.Itwasall
thathecoulddotoavoidaddingtotheotherscream.Dargonaxroaredagain,hiscryendingina
whimper.

“Donotlietoyourmother.IthurtsmemorethanyouwhenImustpunishyou.Showmewhatyou

havethere,mychild….”

“Yesss…”
Kalecpreparedhimselftobetosseduptotheladyinblack,theretobesubjecttoafatethatwould

makehisrecentpainablessing.Yet,itwasnothewhoflewupward—perhapsraisedbyDargonax’s
paw;hecouldnottell—butaheavylumpthathehadnotnoticedpreviousinthedark.

“So…”Sinestrasaidinanalmostdisappointedtone.“Isthatall,then?Oneofthemissingguards.

Theyleftthemtoyou.”

“Yesss…”
“Considerhimanappetizerforwhatistocome.Youwillbeobedientfromhereon,willyounot,

mydarlingson?”

“Yesss…”
“Yeswhat?”
Dargonaxdidnothesitate.“Yes…mother…”
“Verygood,Nefarian.Finallylearning…”
Therewasthebriefsoundofmovementawayfromthepit’sedgeandthensilence.Inthatsilence,

KalecponderedtheinterestingfactthatSinestrahadcalledDargonaxbyherprimeson’sname.Whether
ithadbeenaccidentalornot,hecouldnotsay,butitmadehimthinkofsomething.

ItwasanotherminuteatleastbeforeDargonaxquietlyrumbled,“Shehasleft.”
“Imustgetoutofhere,”Kalecimmediatelyresponded.“Korialstraszneedsme….”
“He’stheother?Heisa…friend?”
“Yes,”thebluerepliedquickly.“Andhecouldbeofgreathelptoyou.Youwanttoescapeher,

don’tyou?Youwanttobefreeofher.ItwouldbebestifKorialstraszisalsoabletohelpyou.”

Dargonaxconsideredthis,thenreplied,“Yes…thatmakessense…itdoes…whoisNefarian?You

know.Isensethatyouknow….”

So,thetwilightdragonhadbeenasquickasKalecatnotingSinestra’suseofthename.“Hewas

alsoherson,thesonofsheandhermate,Deathwing.Nefarianwastheeldestandmostpowerfulofher
children….”

“IwouldmeetNefarian,”thecreaturemurmured.“Iwouldmeetmybrother….”
“Nefarianisdead.”Atleast,thatwasasfarasKalecknew.Takingadvantageofthementionof

Sinestra’smurderousoffspring,thebluedaredadd,“Hefailedherandsheabandonedhimtohis
enemies….”

Therewassilence.Dargonaxeitherdidnotunderstandorwasdigestingtheinformation.The

twilightdragonwasvery,veryclever,butperhapsitdidnotunderstandallthings,beingsecludedhere.

“Mybrotherisdead.Allmybrothersaredead.”
ThefinalityinDargonax’sstatementshookKalecasmuchasthelastpartitselfdid.Brothers…
“Theyescapedher.TheyescapedherjustbeforeIwasborn.Wewerefar,farapart,butwecould

feeloneanother,yes,wecouldfeeloneanotherinside.”

HewasspeakingofthetwoothercreaturesDeathwing’sconsorthadcreated,thetwowhomKalec

sharedsomeresponsibilityindestroying.

“Buttheywerenotlikeme,”Dargonaxcontinued,aslighthintofcontemptarising.“Theydidnot

thinkwell.Theyonlyhungered.Theyletthehungerthinkforthem.Theywerefoolishandtheydied
foolishly….”Theshadowyheadleanedalittlecloser,butstillnotenoughtobedistinct.“Iwillnotdie
foolishly….Iwillnotdie…andyouwillhelpme…friend…”

“Yes…ofcourse,Iwill—”
Withoutwarning,DargonaxoncemorespokeinKalec’shead.Iwillsendyoutofindourfriend.

Youandhewillfreemeofher.Iwillnotbecastaside….

Kalecwasthrustupintotheairmuchthewaythedragonspawncorpsehadbeentossed.Heshot

outofthepitandlandedonhisfeetnexttothefetidbody.Nosoonerhadhelandedthanhesawthe
corpse—carriedbyDargonax’smagic—floatbackintothepit.

Kalecturnedtowardthepit—andaninvisibleforcearisingfromwithinshovedhimtowardoneof

thepassagesleadingawayfromthechamber.Dargonax’swillwasincredibleand,atthemoment,
somethingagainstwhichthewearybluecouldnotfight.

Sheistheotherway.Yougothisone.
Withnochoice,Kalecobeyed.HewantedtofindKorialstrasz,althoughhefearedthinkingtoo

muchconcerningthereasonsexactlywhy.KalecwasnotcertainhowmuchofhisthoughtsDargonax
couldreadorsense.Indeed,hemighthavealreadygivenallhissecretsaway.

Thebluedragonfeltasurgeofmagicrushthroughhimagain,hisownmagiconcemoretherefor

hisuse.However,itwasnothiswillthatnextraisedhishandandcreatedhissword.

Go…
Grippingtheweapontight,Kalecexited.

SEVENTEEN

ereesaandthedwarvesremainedprisoners.Theyhadnotgivenupontheirplanofescape;theyhad

simplynotbeenallowedtoimplementitastherangerhadintended.Evennow,evenafterhourshad
passed,theyallsatreadytomoveonhersignal.

Buttherewasoneverylargereasonwhythehighelfcouldnotyetmove.Nowstandingguardwith

theskardynandthedragonspawnwasanotherdrakonid.HewasneitherRasknortheonewhohad
takenUdin,buthadasimilarsharpnessofeyethatwarnedVereesathathewouldbemoredifficultto
foolthanthedragonspawn.Indeed,hewatchedtherangermostofall,andtheonetimethatshehad
startedtorise,hehadimmediatelyreachedforhisweapon.

Vereesahadnotgivenup,butshehadtowait.Withthedrakonidaswaryashewas,thehighelf

wouldnotevengettothedoor,muchlessopenit.

SheandGrendahadcommunicatedbyglance,thedwarfacknowledgingherunderstandingthat

everythinghadtowait,nomatterhowlong.Fortunately,dwarvesandhighelvescouldbefarmore
patientthanhumans.

Then…Raskstuckhisscalysnoutintothechamber.Helocatedtheseconddrakonidandgrowled,

“Come!”

Thetwovanishedamomentlater,leavingtheanxiousdragonspawnbackincommand.Thebulky

creatureobviouslywantedtofollowRask,buthadbeengivennoorder.Itclearlychafedatbeingkept
fromsomethingthathadtobemoreexcitingthanguardingabunchofprisonerssafelysecured.

ThatworkedtoVereesa’sadvantage.SheslippedtowardGrenda—
Anotherdrakonidentered.ThesamedrakonidresponsibleforUdin’sfate.
“You,”herasped,pointingattheranger.
Doingherbesttokeepthetinybladesecreted,shefacedthecreature.
“Thedoor,”thedrakonidcommandedoftheskardyn.Severalofthesquatfiendsrusheduptofend

awayanyheroicdwarveswhileanotherunlockedthecell.Astheskardynswungthedooropen,the
drakonidapproached.Inhisotherhand,heheldalongrope,whichhebeganunwinding.

“Come—”
Thetinybladeburieditselfinhiseye.
Therangerchargedintotheskardynbeforeher,bowlingthemoverbysheersurprisemorethan

anythingelse.Strikingtheirbodieswaslikestrikingrock,butsheusedleverageinherfavor.

Andbehindherpouredouttheotherprisoners.
Thefirsttwodwarvesperishedquickly,pikesintheirguts.Theirsacrificehelpedthosebehind

them,forGrendaandothersseizedonthepikesandtorethemfromthegripsoftheirfoes.Thatcreated
afurtheropeningthatallowedtherestoftheprisonerstofleethecell.

Vereesapaidnomindtotheskardyn,thedrakonidstillhergreatestconcern.Evenashepulledthe

bladefreeoftheruinedeye,therangerfelluponhim.Withnoweaponofherown,shegrabbedforthe
rope.

Stilldealingwithhisawfulwound,thedrakonidlethisgripontheropeslacken.Hebelatedlytried

tograbthehighelfbythethroat,butVereesahadalreadydartedtohisside.

Thedragonspawncamelumberingatthepair.Vereesaloopedtheropeandbeforethedrakonid

couldturntofaceher,tossedthelooparoundhisthroat.Shepulledtight.

Withasavagecroak,thedrakonidtriedtofreehimselffromthemakeshiftnoose.Theranger

tightenedhergriponitassheturnedtofacethedragonspawn.

Thefour-leggedbehemothswunghardather,itsaxchippingawayatthegroundasitjustmissed.

Therangerusedherweighttokickattheguardwhileatthesametimealsoaddingittotheforceshe
wasexpendingontherope.

Therewasaterriblecrackingsound.Vereesafeltthedrakonidgrowlimp,itsneckbroken.
Butbeingcaughtbetweenthetwofoesnowleftheratthemercyofthedragonspawn.Thebestial

warriorsnaggedherleganddraggedherincloserforthekill.

Stillclutchingtherope,thehighelftriedtousethedeaddrakonid’sweighttokeepherfromthe

dragonspawn.Unfortunately,thestrengthofthelatterwassogreatthatbothsheandthecorpseeasily
slidtowardhereageradversary.

Vereesareleasedherhold.Thesuddenchangeinresistancecausedthedragonspawntogo

stumblingback.Therangerwentslidingundertheheavyfeetasthedragonspawncollidedwithoneof
thewalls.

Shetwistedoutofwhatremainedofthecreature’shold,thenrolledunderandtotheside.Theax

camedown,butthedragonspawn,stilloff-balance,missedbyawidemargin.

Scramblingawayfromthebehemoth,Vereesacameupbehindaskardynwithapike.Movingwith

theswiftnessofwhichherracewasfamed,therangerrippedthepikefromthecreature’sclawsbeforeit
knewwhatwashappening,thenkickeditintothewaitinghandsofapairofdwarves.Shespunaround
justasthedragonspawnclosedonher.

Thepikethrustintohisshoulder,but,thankstothescalehide,didnothingmorethanleaveasmall

scar.ThedragonspawntriedtochopherweaponintopiecesandonlybyrapidmaneuveringdidVereesa
keepthatfromhappening.Shewishedforherbow,certainthatshecouldhaveplantedarrowsinboth
eyesandthethroatifgivenonlyafewseconds.Asitwas,thepikewasanunfamiliarweapon,oneat
themomentmoresuitedforhumansorsturdyfighterslikethedwarvesorskardyn.

Aroundher,thedwarveswerepressingtheirsavagecousins.Theskardynhadmoreofthe

weapons,buttheydidnothavethenumbers.Grendahadseizedawhipfromonefallenfoeandusedit
nowtogoodeffectonthosewieldingpikes.Shewouldletthewhiplasharoundtheweapon’slongpole,
thenuseaskilledflickofthewristtowrenchthepikesforward.

However,oneskardynmanagedtoslipbehindGrenda.Thescalydwarfraisedanaxatherback….
Anotherfigureshovedhiswaybetweenthem.
“Grenda!Beware!”shoutedGragdin.Grenda’sbrotherhadnoweapon,onlyhisownbody.“Bewar

—!”

TheskardyneagerlychoppedintoGragdin’schest.
Grendaletoutahowlofpainthatmatchedherbrother’sbriefone.Thefemaledwarfdroppedthe

whip.ShedidnotgrabforGragdin’sblood-soakedbody,butratherattheweaponthathaddonehimin.
Dwarvenragegaveherthestrengthtotearitfromtheskardyn’shand,thenimmediatelyuseitacrosshis
throat.

Theskardyn’sheadwentrollingaway.HisbodycollapsedatopGragdin’s.
Withaberserkerfury,Grendacutdowntwomoreskardynnearby.Theotherdwarvesfollowedher

lead,decimatingwhatwasleftoftheguards.

Vereesa,meanwhile,continuedhercombatagainstthedragonspawn.Thegiantswunghigh,nearly

clippingherhead.Intheprocess,hisweaponfinallychoppedthepikeintwo.

ButVereesaimmediatelyleaptforanaxlostbyafallenenemy.Seizingit,therangerduckedunder

thedrakonid’sguardandattackednotthetorso,butonefoot.

Theaxbitthroughthescaledflesh,severingthetoesandpartofthefront.Bloodpouredfromthe

wound.

Thedragonspawnhissed.Itreacheddowntopresstherangerintotherockfloor,butagainVereesa

wriggledfree.Sheslippedpasttheguard,endingupneartheentrance.

Atthatmoment,apairofskardyncamerushingintothechamber.TheyspottedVereesa,letout

hisses,andchargedher.

Thedragonspawnbegantoturn.Inclosequarters,themassivebodywasmoreungainly,especially

withthelong,thicktailtoconsider.

Vereesaslappedthetailwiththesideoftheax.
Heradversaryreactedinstinctively.Thetailsweptbackandforth,adeadlyclubtowhateverwasin

itsrange.

Butthehighelfhadalreadymadecertaintoavoidbeingnear.Thetailinsteadswattedboth

approachingskardyn,sendingthemflyinginoppositedirections.Thesavagedwarvescrashedagainst
thewallsandlaystill.

Andasthedragonspawncontinuedtoturn,VereesaleaptontothebackjustasRomhaddonewith

anearlierone.Thedragonspawntriedtotwistitsuppertorsoaroundenoughtoreachher,butshe
movedwithit,keepingdirectlybehind.

Jumpingup,therangerplantedbotharmsoverthedragonspawn’sshoulders.Shebroughttheax

aroundwithonehandand,asbestshecould,grippedthetopwiththeother.

Summoningasmuchstrengthasshecouldmuster,Vereesajammedtheaxbladeintothesofter

tissueofthethroat.

Thedragonspawngrabbedatherarms,pullingatthemwithsuchforcethatshethoughtthatthey

wouldbetornfree.Therangerstruggledtopresstheaxdeeper.Shefeltamoistureonthehandholding
thetop.

Then,theguardmanagedtotearherfree.Itthrewthehighelfoveritshead.Vereesatriedtoguide

herselfasbestshecould,relyingonhernaturalnimblenessandrangertrainingtokeepherfrom
breakingherneckorskull.

Asshestruck,shewentintoaroll.Therollendedabruptlyasshecollidedwithoneofthedwarves.
Vereesadarednottakethetimetocheckontheotherprisoner,certainasshewasthatthe

dragonspawnwascomingforher.Shelocatedtheaxandturnedtofaceheradversary.

Indeed,theguardwaslumberingforward,butinahaphazard,almostrandommanner.Notonly

wasthewoundtotheonefootcausingittosway,buttheentireuppertorsowasbathedinbloodfrom
thewoundtheaxhadmade.

Dwarveswithpikessuddenlysurroundedthedragonspawn.Grendathrustfirst,herpikereentering

thewoundedthroat.Thedragonspawnslappedtheweaponaway,onlymakingtheripbigger.

Theguardteetered,crashingtooneside.Adwarfraninforthekill.
Withatitaniceffort,thedragonspawnseizedhim.Beforeanyonecoulddoanything,theguard

usedonethickfisttocrushinthedwarf’schest.

Grendascreamedandthrustwiththepikeagain.Hermomentumwassuchthatsheburiedthepoint

deepenoughthatthetipthrustoutofthescaledhidebehind.

Thedragonspawnwavedonebloodyhand…thendied.
Oftheguards,onlyapairofbeatenandbruisedskardynremained.Grendahadthemboundand

tossedintothecell.Thatsheletthemlivewasnoactofcharity,tohearherexplainit.

“Whenthey’refoundlikethatwithalltheothersslain,youcanbesurethey’llpayfortheir

failure,”shesaidgrimly.

Thefemaledwarfwentbacktothebodyofherbrother.Herotherbrother,Griggarth,stoodather

side,staringathisdeadsiblingasifnotcertainthathehimselflaythereinstead.

Grendatouchedtheforeheadandchestonce,thenherdemeanorshifted.“Let’smovebeforemore

guardsarrive….”

Thereremainedoneproblemwiththat.EvenVereesa’strainedsensescouldnotidentifywhich

directiontheyshouldhead.Grendathoughtsheknew—dwarveswellversedwithreadingtunnelsand
judgingtheirultimateriseorfall—butcouldnotswearinthecaseofGrimBatol.

“Romtoldmethatthetunnelsherehavenorhymeorreasonthathecouldrecall.Thosethat

would’vemadesenseonewayoftensuddenlybanked,thenwenttheopposite.’Tisasifabunchofmad
diggersrandomlycarveditout.”

“Probablyabuncho’DarkIrons,”snortedGriggarth.
“Thesetunnelsareolderthaneventhosebastards,”hissisterreplied.Shetouchedthecorridor

floor,studyingit.“Ifthesetracesreadright,I’dsaywegoleft.”

“Whatareyoulookingat?”therangerasked,fascinateddespitetheirsituationbythedwarf’sown

trackingabilities.

“Thestriations,thepatternsoftherockandstone,forone.Theycansometimestellyoutheright

direction.There’salsotinybitsofdirtandscrapingsthatthesefiends’vebroughtfromoutside.”She
grunted.“Ifthere’sanythin’wedwarvesknow,it’srockanddirt.”

“Then,wegoasyousay.Leadon.”
Nodding,Grendaguidedthewearyband.Theywerearmedwitheverythingthattheyhadbeen

abletotakefromthedead.Vereesahadnotacceptedanyaxorotherweapon,preferringthosetogointo
thehandsoftheoneswhobestknewhowtousethem.Theonlydefenseshetookwasthesmallblade
thatRhoninhadforgedforher.

AsGrendaledherpeopleon,Vereesafelltowardtheback.Shefollowedon,growingmore

confidentinthefemaledwarf’ssenseofdirection.Surely,withherattheforefront,thebandwould
reachtheoutsidesafely.

And,withthatthoughtinmind,therangerslowedmore.Whenitwasclearthatthedwarveswere

completelyfocusedonthepassageahead,Vereesasuddenlyturned.Assilentasthenight,thehighelf
vanisheddownthedeeperendofthetunnel.

Somewheredownthere,Vereesawascertain,shewouldfindZendarin….

“Surely,wemustreenterGrimBatolthisverymoment!”Iridiurgedthewizard.“Eachbreathwe

delay,theothersmaysuffer!”

“YouthinkIdon’tknowthat?”Rhoninsnapped.Hesatwiththedraeneionanoldlog,hishands

beforehim.Afaintlylitblueglowarosefromthegroundbeforeboth,thewizard’sversionofacampfire
thatwouldnotbeseenfromfaraway.“Mywife’sinthere,priestess.Therearenomoreimportant
peopletomeintheentireworldthansheandmysons.None.”

“Then,whydowenotjustmaterializethereasyoudidprevious?”
Hespat.“Idon’tknowhowmagicworkswithdraeneiingeneraloryouinparticular,butthatsort

ofthingtakesalotoutofaperson,especiallyasitwasn’tmyfirstorevensecondattempt!I’dbeenin
twootherlocationsthere,usingthistohuntforher!”

RhoninheldupthetalismanthatVereesahadbeenwearing.Iridicouldnotsenseanythingfromit,

butthen,shewasnotitscreator.

Hewasgrowingmoreupset.Thepriestessberatedherselfforaddingtothepressuresonthe

human.Shewasshowingmanyfailingsasapriestessthesepastfewdays.Thedraeneiwonderedhow
shecouldhaveeverconsideredherselftheonewhoneededtofindthecapturednetherdragon.Such
hubrisinthefaceofherresultswaslaughable.

ThepairsatinthewildsofGrimBatol,nearanareaRhoninhadcalledRaptorRidge.Thename

hadshakenawearyIridi,forsherecalledthebattleatMenethilHarbor.However,thewizardhad
assuredherthatmostoftheraptorshadmovedtowardthedirectionofthedwarvensettlement.

“Theysensewhat’sgoingoninGrimBatol,”hehadtoldher.“That’swhythey’regivingthe

dwarvessomuchtroublerightnow.”

Hehadprovidedherwithsimplefarefromapouchonhisperson,apouchwithincredibledepth,it

appeared.Thered-hairedwizardpulledoutmuchmorefoodthanshouldhavebeenabletofitinside,
andevenafterthatthepouchhadnotlookedflattened.

“There’resomebenefitstomycalling,”Rhoninexplainedasheandshedevouredsome

unleavenedbreadandcheesethatwasactuallycoolandcreamy.“Butalotmoreburden.”

“Youhavegreatresponsibilitiesamongyourkind.”
“Youmeanwizards,theAlliance,orhumans?Takeyourchoice;Iseemtobeboundtoallinmore

waysthanIlike.TheAllianceisstilllookingtoDalaranforalotandthewizardsarelookingformeto
thinkdifferentthanthey’vebeendoingforthepastseveralhundredyears.Asforthehumansin
general…I’veseentoomanydieandIwantittoend…Ijustwanttobewithmyfamily….”

ButRhoninwouldneverwillinglyabandonanyofthegroupsthathehadjustmentioned.Iridi

couldsensethat.ThewizardwasmuchlikeKrasus,strivingtomakeAzerothbetterforall,eventhough
itcosthimsomuch.

Eventhough,atpresent,hisbelovedmatemightalreadybedead.
“Youareabeingofdestiny,”thepriestessquietlydeclared.“Youwilldogreatthings,Iknowthat.”
“Ihaven’tevenbeenabletokeepmywifeandsonssafe.”Heshookhishead.“I’vefought

demons,dragons,orcs,andmore,butthescariestpartofmylifehasbeentryingtobethereforthoseI
careaboutmost.”

Sheputacomfortinghandonhisshoulder.AlthoughIridihadnoclosefamilywithwhichto

comparehersituationtohis,shewasempathicenoughtounderstandhistrials.“It’softenthemost
frightenedoffolkwhodothegreatestdeeds.”

“YousoundlikeademigodIoncemetcalledCenarius—”Hecutoff,suddenlytense.
“What—?”
Rhoninhushedher.Hislefthandtightenedintoafistashewhispered,“Ithinkthisshoulddothe

trick.It’smorestartlingthanitisanythingelse,but…”

Thedimblueglowsuddenlyflashedathousandtimesbrighter,yetitsintenseilluminationwas

limitedtoanareajustadozenorsoyardsindiameter,withRhoninandIridiatthecenterofthatlighted
circle.

Butinthatbrightglow,thepairwererevealednottobealone.
Morethanadozentall,reptiliancreaturessurroundedthevicinity.Theywerenotdrakonid,

although,likethem,theywalkedontwolegs.Theseweremoreprimitiveandmorebestialand,toIridi,
thereturnofanightmare.

“Raptors…”Rhoninbreathed.
Thebrilliantlighthadstunnedthebeasts.Severalstillhadtheirheavymuzzlesturnedaway.More

thanonehissed.Tailsswungbackandforthinwhatwasclearlyanxiety.

“Standnexttome,”thewizardordered.
Iriditrustedhisjudgment,althoughshealsopreparedtosummonthenaarustaff.Theraptorspaced

backandforth,slowlyadjustingtotheglow,whichthedraeneinoticedRhoninhaddecreasedin

intensity.

Asshestudiedthemmore,Iridinoticedthatmostofthemwerescarredand,insomecases,freshly

injured.IridirecalledagainthebattleatMenethilHarbor.

Theraptorscontinuedtopacebackandforth.Occasionally,onewouldcallout.Thethroatygrowls

haddifferentnuances,dependingontheraptorwhospoke.Iridiheldoutherhandtosummonthestaff,
wonderingifitwouldhelpherunderstandthem.

“There’remoreoutthere,”Rhonintoldher,interruptingthethought.
“More?Howmany?”
“Difficulttosay.Enough,wouldbemypersonaltaste.”Hepeeredaround.“They’vehadatough

timeofitwithMenethilHarbor,fromthelooksofit.Dwarvesareshort,buttheypackalotofmuscle
andfightintheircompactbodies.Evenspeedandgoodclawsandteetharen’tamatch.”Rhonin
straightened.“Hmm.Lookslikethe‘chief’isapproaching.”

Fromtheedgeofthelightemergedalarger,sleekerraptorwithmorefeathersthantherest.Its

bodywasabrightredwithgoldenandbluestripesrunningacross.Itwalkedwithalltheconfidenceofa
king…oraqueen.Iridicouldnotmarkwhichsexitmightbe.

Theotherraptorsbenttheirheadslowastheywatchedtheirleaderprogresstowardtheduo.

Severalofthereptilestwistedtheirneckssoastodisplaythemoresoft,easilytornareas.

“They’remarkingitsdominanceoverthem,”thewizardexplained.
“Isitmaleorfemale?”
“Adamnedgoodquestion.”
Iridiwaited,buthesaidnothingmoreonthatsubject.Whatmatteredmosttobothofthemwas

whattheleadraptorwanted…andwhetherthetwocouldescapeiftheentirepackattacked.

“Ihavesometricks,sodon’tworryyourself,”Rhoninmuttered,asifreadingherthoughts.“I’m

justcuriouswhyabunchofmeat-eatinglizardswouldtreatusasifweweresomethingbiggerand
nastierthantheyare.”

Theleadraptorpausedatjusttheothersideoftheglow’ssource.ItpeeredfirstatIridi,thenatthe

wizard.

Atlast,itgrowledatRhonin.
Thepriestesswouldhaveacted,butRhoningentlytappedherarmwithhisfingers.
“Ourfriendherewantstotalk.Let’sseeifwecanfigureoutwhatit’ssaying.”
Theraptorgrowledagain,thistimethetoneschanging.Iridilistenedcloselyandthoughtshe

detectednoaggressioninthesounds.

“Ithinkitseekspeacewithyou,”shesuggestedtothewizard.
“Ihadthesamenotion.Curiousconcept,speakingpeacewithacarnivorousmonster.Ofcourse,

I’veexperiencedodderthings.”

Tohersurprise,hetookasteptowardtheraptor.Rhoninkepthisgazedirectlyonthecreature’s

own.Asheadjustedhisposition,hecalledbacktoher.“Alwayslookthemstraightintheeye.There’s
alwaysabattlefordominanceandifyouslip,youlessenyourselfintheiropinion.That’shardto
reverse.”Hechuckled.“SomethingIlearnedduringafewyearsasadiplomat…”

Thehumanandtheraptorcontinuedtheirstaringcontestformorethanaminute…andthenthe

reptileeversoslightlyglancedtotheside.Rhoninnoddedonce.

Thismomentarymovementonhispartseemedtosignalanewpointintheconfrontation.The

raptordippeditsheadlow,thenglancedinadifferentdirection.

Despitetheriskofdoingso,Rhonincasuallyglancedthesameway.
“It’slookingatGrimBatol,”hesaid.“Whatasurprise.”
“Dotheywantustogoback?Arewesupposedtobeprisonerstoturnovertothebloodelfand

her?”

“Idoubtthat.”Thewizardstudiedtheleadraptoragain.“Itwouldbeniceifwespokewhateverit

wastheyspeak.”

Iridiagainthoughtofthestaff.“TheremaybesomethingIcando.”
Shesummonedthenaaru’sgift.Theraptorshissed,butdidnototherwisereact.Rhoninsaid

nothingasthedraeneicautiouslypointedthelargecrystalinthedirectionoftheleader.

“DoyouunderstandwhatI’msaying?”sheaskedofthecreature.
Theraptorgrowled.
Inthepriestess’shead,aseriesofimagessuddenlyformed.Theraptorsonahuntforfood.A

suddenuneasiness.GrimBatol’sdarkoutline.

Twofearsome,batlikeraptorsdivingfromthesky,clutchingthehaplessgroundfolkandtaking

themuptodevourintheair.

Iridirecognizedthemonstersevendespitethedifferentperceptions.Shewasseeingthetwin

twilightdragonsthatsheandKrasushadfought,butastheraptorsidentifiedthem.Theseimageswere
thebestthatthestaffcouldtranslatethereptiles’methodofspeaking.

“Fascinating!”Rhoninbreathed,atthemomentsoundingmuchlikethedragonmage.Itsurprised

herthathealsoapparentlysawtheimages,butthenthestaffcontinuedtorevealnewelementstoits
abilities.

Moreimages.Thegroundfolk—asbestatermasthepriestesscouldcomeupwithfromtheway

theraptorsdescribedthemselves—fledtowardthewest.ThevisionofGrimBatolkeptreturning
betweenthevariousscenesandthedraeneicouldonlyassumethatthereasonhadtobetheraptors’
constantsensingoftheevilarisingfromit,anevilthateventheyweretooafraidtoignore.

TherecamenextthebattleatMenethilHarbor.Battles,intruth.Theraptorshadattackedthe

dwarvesinthepast,butneverinsuchnumbersastheyhadnow.Manypackshadjoinedtogether…the
reasonforthatagainanimageofadarkGrimBatol.

Butthebattletotakenewandsaferlandshadnotgonewell.Thedwarveswereseenwell

defendingtheirterritory,althoughatfirstIridiwashard-pressedtoidentifythemforwhattheywere.
Theraptors’visionofthedwarvesmadethemresembletheskardyn,whichtheyknewofalso.

Therewereimagesoftheraptorsmovingbackandforthbetweenthemountandtheharbor.The

creaturesdidnotstop.Firsttheywentonedirection,thentheother,thenbackagain.

AndthenRhonin’sfaceappearedamongthescenes,butnotquitethesameRhonin.Helooked

slightlyfresher,younger—andhewasshownfacingagreen-skinnedgiant.

“I’llbedamned!”thewizardblurted.“That’smearoundthetimetheorcswerekickedout….”He

ponderedthat,finallysaying,“Someoftheraptorsmust’vebeennear,possiblythisveryonesinceit’s
older—”Hecutoffasanewandpuzzlingimageplayedout.

ItwasstillRhoninandtheorc,butnowtherewasalsoaraptor—andonethatindeeddidremind

thedraeneioftheleader—involvedinthebattle.Yet,itwasnotseekingthewizard’sblood,asone
mighthaveexpected,butrathertheorc’s.

Andthentheorctransformedintoaskardyn,which,inturntransformedintooneofthebat-winged

raptorsthatwerethetwilightdragons.Nomatterwhichfoefacedthem,thewizardandtheraptorfought
itside-by-side.

Theleadreptilepulledbackslightly.Thevisionsceased.
“Whatdidthatallmean?”thedraeneiquietlyasked,watchingastheraptorspatientlyeyedthe

wizard.

Rhonintookalongtimetoanswerandwhenhedid,itwastoverifythepriestess’ssuspicions.“To

behonest,Ithink…Ithinkthattheywantourhelp.Ithinktheywantsomesortofalliance,ifyoucan
believethat….”

Iridinodded.Iftheraptorswereasintelligentastheyseemed,perhapstheideawasnotfarfrom

thetruth.Afterall,theirlandswereverynearGrimBatolandshealreadyknewthattheyhadbecomeso
desperatethattheyhadlaunchedtheattacksonMenethilHarbor.Perhapstheysomehowsensed
Rhonin’spower—evenseenhimmaterializewithher—andinstinctivelylookedtohimasapossible
savior.

Whateverthetruth,Rhoninlookedwillingtobelieveinhisversionsomuchthathesteppedtoward

theleadraptor.Thehugecreaturelowereditsheadagain,asifnotwantingtodoanythingthatwould
offendthehuman.

Thewizardsteppedwithinbitingrange.Withcontinuedcalm,hestretchedouthishand.“Come

on,myfriend,”Rhoninmurmured,“Comeon….”

Thereptilesniffedit,thejawslargeenoughtosnapoffRhonin’sentirearmkeepingrespectfully

shut.Thegreatnostrilsranalongthelengthofthehandandeventhearm,insomecasesleavingtraces
ofmucusthatthehumanpatentlyignored.

Then,theleadraptorsteppedbackandletoutanodd,barkingsoundtotheotherassembled

creatures.

Asone,theassembledcreaturesloweredtheirheadsnearlytotheground…andthenturnedtheir

balefulgazestoGrimBatol.

Rhoninchuckleddarkly.HelookedbackatIridi.“Itappearswehaveaready-madearmy,”the

wizardcommentedwithatwinkleinhiseye.“Iwonderhowbestwecanuseit.”

EIGHTEEN

ereesawoundherwayfromonepassagetothenext,awarethatshedescendeddeeperanddeeperinto

themountwithoutyetanysigntoshowthatherquarrywasnear.Shehadthoughtthatshewouldfind
sometraceleadingtoZendarin,butinsteadthepassagesthroughwhichshejourneyedseemedmoreand
moreunused,andwhentherangerattemptedtonavigatebackfromone,sheonlyendedupinyet
anotherunfamiliartunnel.

SometimesitisasifGrimBatolitselfisaliveandtoyingwithallofus,goodandevil,Vereesa

thought.Sheknewoflegendsofsuchplaces,areassaidtohaveintelligencesoftheirown,oftenbecause
theyhadbeenrepositoriesforgreatmagic.Certainly,thatqualifiedGrimBatol.Therewerefewplaces
inAzerothsodrenchedinsuchenergiesforsolong.

Determinedtofindherway,thehighelfbeganusingthetinybladetoleavesmallmarksinthe

wallsthatshewouldrecognize.Eachtimesheturnedacorner,Vereesaalsomadecertaintomarkwhich
sidewasonherright.Inthisway,therangerwascertainthatshewouldnotremainlost.

Butwhenonepassageabruptlyended—forcinghertoturnback—Vereesawasunabletolocateher

marks.Shesteppedback,reaffirmedwhatdirectionsheshouldhead,andstubbornlypushedon.

However,Vereesasoonsawnothingsherecognizedand,worse,anattempttoreturnprovedjustas

vexingasbefore.

Then,somewhereinthedistance,therangerheardwhatsoundedlikeskardyn.Whileatonepoint

shewouldhavekeptfromtheirpresence,nowthehighelfsawthemasherbesthopeofnotonly
locatinghercousin,butfindingoutjustwhereshewasingeneral.

Thehissing,growlingvoicesseemedtomoveawayfromher.Evenwhenshepickedupherpace,

Vereesacouldnotgetanycloser.Moreworrisome,herpathcontinuedtodescendfarmorethanshehad
originallydesired.ShehadnonotionastowhatlurkedinthelowestdepthsofGrimBatoland,atthe
moment,hadnointerestinfindingoutunlessZendarinprovedtobethere,also…whichshedoubted.

Forthemostpart,Vereesahadbeenrelyingonbothhereyesightandthesmallgemsthatlinedthe

wallseverynowandthentoguideherway.Thattheyhadbeensetbysomehandwasobviousandthat
hadkeptherconcernfromgrowingtoogreat,forclearlyshewasstillinpassagesusedbythecurrentor
formerinhabitants.

Indeed,inonesmallchamber,shehadevenfoundtheremainsofatroll,likelyonewhohadserved

hereatthetimeoftheorcs’occupation.Thecoolundergroundhadkeptthebodyfairlyintact,somuch
sothatshecouldstillseesomeofthetattoosonhislong,lankybody.Thepointedfacewasstretched
intoadeath’s-headgrin.Therewereevenasmallaxandadagger,bothofwhichwereinausablestate
andthusclaimedquicklybythehighelf.

Yet,assheabandonedthecorpsetoitsendlesssleep,itbotheredVereesathatshehadfoundno

markthatexplainedwhythetrollhadperished.Otherthanbeingamazinglythin,hehadlookedalmost

alive.

Hadthetrolllosthiswayhereandstarvedtodeathsonearandyetsofarfromhiscomrades?That

hardlybodedwellfortheranger.

Still,withthehandaxandthedagger,Vereesaatleastfeltbetterpreparedforanyfoethatshedid

comeupagainst.Shealsocontinuedtryingtomarkherway.

Then,thepathshewasongrewlessandlessilluminateduntilshefinallyturnedintoapassage

utterlydevoidofanyoftheglowingcrystals.Frustrationgrowing,Vereesaretreatedtotheprevious
tunnelandwentonuntilshefoundanother.

That,too,wasunlit.
Twicemore,shepaceddownsomelengthofthelitpassage,onlytofindsidetunnelsfilledwith

darkness.Nowshewascertainthateithersomeentity—Zendarin,perhaps—oreventhemountitself
wastoyingwithher.

Shepausedbeforeanotherblacktunnel,debatingherchoices.Seeminglytrappedintoenteringone

oranother,therangersimplysteppedintotheoneshefaced—

Fromwithinitsdepths,therangerheardafaintvoice.
Whatithadsaid,Vereesacouldnottell.Ithadsoundedpainedandweary.
Despitethelikelihoodthatitwasatrap,thehighelfpickedupherpace.Shelistenedcarefullyas

shemoved,butdidnothearthevoicerepeat.Thatitmighthavebeenafigmentofherowntiredmind,
Vereesacouldnotdeny.However,nowthatshewascommitted,shehadnointentionofturningback.
Wieldingtheaxinonehandandthedaggerintheother,therangerpushedthroughthedarkness.

Witheachstep,shefeltherselfdescenddeeperanddeeper.Hergripontheweaponstightened.

Ahead,shethoughtshedetectedaslightillumination….

Sureenough,whatstartedasjustafainthazebegantofillthepassagethemoresheheadedtoward

it.Vereesawasfinallyabletomakeoutdetailsinthewalls,detailsthatindicatedthatthispassagehad
beenfarmorecrudelycarvedoutthanthoseabove.Thatinitselfbespokeofitsancientconstructionand
thelikelihoodthatmostofthoseabovedidnotknowofitsexistence.

Butthen…towhomdidthevoiceshebelievedthatshehadheardbelong?
Thehighelfslowed.Aheadradiatedalow,redglow…asifachamberlayjustabitfurtherbeyond.

Herjawtightening,therangerverycautiouslyapproached.

Shesuddenlynoticedthattheclosershegot,thecooleritbecame.Muchcoolerthanitshouldhave

warranted.Infact,inGrimBatol,shewouldhaveexpectedsuchachambertoemanateheat,notcold.

Despitehowfarshehadcome,Vereesadebatedturningaround.Yet,somethingwouldnotlether.
Crouching,thehighelfpeeredinside.
Hereyeswidened.
Shestaredintoahugechamberthatwasbothfireandice.Theformerwasfromwherethecrimson

gloworiginated,vastpoolsofmoltenlavaconstantlybubbling.Thesmellofsulfursuddenlyfilledher
nostrils.Thereweremorethanadozensuchpoolsthattherangercouldsee,fromthoseastinyasher
handtootherswideenoughtohaveengulfedherandthedwarveswithoutthesurfacehardlyshifting.

ThechambershouldhavebeensoboilinghotthatsweatshouldhavealreadycoveredVereesa.Yet,

itwasactuallysocoolthatshecouldjustseeherbreath.

Theexplanationforthatcamefromabove.There,massivedaggersoficethrustdownfromthe

ceiling.Yet,theywerenotbyanystretchoftheimaginationofnaturalorigin.AsVereesamovedfarther
intothechamber,shesawhowabsolutelywhitetheywereinsideandevenfeltthecoolnesspulsating
againstherskin.

Andthenthe“why”forthismagicalarrangementbecameobvious.Thehighelfspottedone,then

another,thenanother…andrealizedthateveryroundedmoundshesawwastheexactsamething.

Therewereeggseverywhere.Eggssolargethattheyhadtocomefromonlyonecreature.

Adragon.
Vereesaapproachedthenearest.Atfirstshethoughtthattheeggwascracked,forwhatshecould

seeofitwascoveredinsomestickycoatingthatremindedherofpartofayolk.However,asshestudied
itcloser,shesawthattheeggwasnotbroken.Theoddresinsimplycovereditcompletely.

Probingthesubstancewiththedagger,thehighelfhadheranswer.Myatis.Herpeoplehadused

themagicalcoatingtopreservesacredrelicsandrarelivingthingslikeseeds.Someonehaddecidedto
useitforamoreingeniouspurpose;keepingtheseeggsfromrotting.

Butwhilethemyatiscoatingwasexcellentforpreservation,Vereesaunderstoodnowtheconstant

battlebetweenheatandcoldinthechamber.Itwasnotenoughtopreservetheeggs;stickingherfinger
intothecoating,shedeterminedthattheywerejusttheperfecttemperaturetoguaranteethelifewithin
stayedabsolutelyviable.

AndthenVereesanoticedjusthowmanyeggshadbeenarrangedinsuchaperfectbalance.Nota

handful.Notdozens.

Hundreds.Somanyhundredsthatshecouldonlyimaginethattheyhadbeengatheredover

centuries…

Thehighelfspunaround.Ithadgoneunnoticedbyheratfirstbecausethemyatiscoatingtended

tomakeeverythinglookgray,butnotalltheeggswereofthesametype.Itwasnotsimplyamatterof
somedifferenceinshapeorevensize,butalsocolorandpatterning.

BytheSunwell!Thesearenotjusttheeggsofablackdragon….Theyaresurelythoseofredsand

others,too….

Vereesacouldnotbelievewhatshebeheld.WhensheandRhoninhadhelpedaidthequeenofthe

redflighttoescapefromtheHorde,therehadbeenampleopportunitytoseepiecesofthatflight’s
brokeneggshells.Afterward,herhusband,constantlyseekingtokeephimselfeducatedinallmagical
matters,hadshownhereggfragmentsfromotherflights,includingthoseoftheblack.Certainly,eggsof
Deathwing’skinddominatedthechamber,butthereweremanyakintotheredandthosethatlooked
likeneitherhadtohavebeenstolenfromtheblueflightandothers.

“Centuries…”shewhisperedtoherself.“Yes,itmusthavetakencenturies….”
Then,somethingoddabouttheeggsmadetherangerpeercloseratacouple.Theylooked

strangelyswollenandthereweretinypustulesallovertheshells.

Whatevertheseeggshadonceheld,theynolongerheldtheinnocentyoungofdragons.
Ashiversuddenlyovertookher,ashiverthathadnothingtodowiththefierce,magicalstalactites.

SheknewwellDeathwing’sdesireforanew,moreterribledragonflightandhowhischildrenhad
carriedthatfoullegacyon.ButallthewhileNefarianandOnyxiahadbeendelvingintotheirownplots
concerningthatflight’screation,someoneelsehadbeenpatientlyandmethodicallycollectingallthese
differenteggs—nodoubtoftenbydeceit—forthetimewhenitwouldbeabsolutelycertainthatthe
chancesofsuccessfullycreatingthemonstrousdragonsdesiredwerealmostperfect.

Andwithsomanyeggs,therewouldbemorethanenoughoftheabominationstosweepover

everylastbitofdefianceAzeroth’snaturalcreaturesmightmuster.

Thehorrificimagesfillingherheadweresuddenlysweptawaybythesoundofmovementfrom

fartherinthegreatchamber.Axheldready,therangermovedtowardthedirectionfromwhichshe
thoughtthebriefsoundoriginated.

Butassheneared,allVereesasawwasyetanotherofthebubblingpools.Thisonewassovastthat

asailingshipcouldhavebeensetdowninthemiddleofit,althoughfromthereitcouldnothavegone
veryfar.Thehighelfstudiedtheedgesofthepools,searchingforanyonewhomightbenear.Despite
theconstantbubbling,shewascertainthatithadnotbeenthatnoisethatshehadmistakenformuch
more.

Fromthecenterofthepoolburstforthahuge,monstroushead.Theheatofthemoltenlava

coloreditabright,burningorange.Itopeneditsreptilianmaw—

“Ve-Vereesa?”itrasped.
Withagroan,thegiantrolledtowardherendofthepool.Therangerstumbledbackasseveraltons

ofsteamingdragonfellfreeofthelavaandontothegroundbeforeher.Shecontinuedtoretreat,stunned
bythemassivegirthofthebeast.Rarelyhadsheseenadragonsohugesavethequeenoftheredflight
orKrasusinhistrueformofKorialstrasz—

Korialstrasz?
Thesteamingleviathancontinuedtocollapseinherdirection.Therangerturnedandran,realizing

thatthedragonwasevenlargerthanshehadfirstcalculated.

Hisshadowloomedoverher.Vereesaknewthatshewasnotrunningfastenough.Shebraced

herselffortheinevitable—

ButKorialstraszdidnotfalluponher.Indeed,themassivecrashsheexpecteddidnothappen,

insteadonlyaslightthudbehindhermarkingtheendtothedragon’sfall.

Thehighelfdaredlookback.
Steamstillrising,Krasusthemagelaysprawledattheedgeofthepool.Hisgenerally-pale

complexionwas,foramoment,brightredandhisbodywasclearlyburninganimprintintothestone
floor.Curiously,hiscowledrobeswereuntouched…butthen,theywereafalseimage,theresultsofthe
dragon’sconjurationsandthusfarmoredurablethananytruegarment.

Gettingoverhershock,sherantohisside.Fortunately,despitehisstillappearance,Krasus

breathed.

However,shecouldnotwakehim.Notcertainwhatelsetodo,Vereesatestedtoseehowwarmhis

bodywas.Whilestillfarmorethanwasnormal,shecouldatleasttouchhimwithoutfearofburning.

Liftingtheslumpedfigureascarefullyasshecould,therangerpulledhimovertooneside,where

thefloorofthecavernroseup.Thereshesethiminasittingpositionandponderedwhattodonext.

Krasussavedherthattroublebyatlastopeninghiseyes.
“V-Vereesaofthehighelves,”hemanaged.“YouwerenotoneofthoseIexpected—”Thedragon

magewentintoacoughingfit.Helookedolder,moreemaciated.“—butitisgoodtoseeyou,albeitnot
sogoodtoseeyouhere.”

“Ishouldhaveexpectedtofindyou,though,”therangerreturned.“Withsomuchevilathand,

whowouldcometoseetoitsendbutyou?”

“You—youandRhonin—havedonemorethanyoursh-share,youngone.”Hewavedoffher

protest.“Be-besides,thatisneitherhere…neitherherenorthere.”Hiseyesnarrowed.“Doyouknow
whatisgoingoninGrimBatol?”

“Justenoughtobeconfused,greatone.”Ashewincedfrompainagain,sheeyedhiminrenewed

concern.“Krasus…whatailsyou?”

“IhavebeentoaplaceofahellishkindIhopenevertosufferagain.Ibarelymanagedtoescape,

butindoingsonearlytoremyselfapart.Iwascastbackfromlimbointotheverymountainitself…the
veryrockofthemountain…”

Hequicklydescribedforherasbesthecouldtheawfulmomentwhen,escapingamagicaltrap,he

wasrandomlythrustbyitsunleashedforcesintoapartofGrimBatol.Hisbodyandthefoundationof
themountbecamepartofthesame.Onlythedragon’sincrediblemagicandpowerfulwillkepthim
frombecomingforeverentombed.

“ItwasallthatIcoulddotothrustmyselfintothenearestchamber.Iburstthrough,stillinmytrue

form,andcrawledwithoutcarefromonecaverntothenext.Ineededheattorevivemybody,incredible
heat.Yet,theonlysourcethatIcouldsensecloseenoughtoreachfeltlikesolittle.However,Ihadno
choice.Iwentthere,forcingthechangetothisbodywhenthetunnelsprovedtoonarrow….”

Hehadnotevenpaidanyattentiontowhatlayallaroundhim,hissufferingmindonlyknowing

that,despitetheheatseemingsolittle,therewerepoolsofmoltenlavawithinsight.Dragonswerenot,
bynature,generallyfounddivingintolavaand,hadhestayedinmuchlonger,hewouldhaveeventually
burnedtodeath.However,itsaidsomethingforthecriticalstateofhislifethatthiswastheonlyway
thathecouldquicklyrecuperate.Aidedbywhatmagichecouldmuster,theincredibleheatrevivedhim
farswifterthannormalmeanscouldhave.

“Butthetrickistoknowwhentoescapethepool.IwasoriginallysoundonethatInearly

overstayed.IhadthrustuptwicetocallassecretlyasIcouldtoanywhoknewmeasfriend,forIknew
thatIwouldunfortunatelyneedhelpyet.Iexpectedanother,eitheroneofthedwarvesoradraenei—”

“Iridi?”
Hisbrowarched.“Ah?Youhavemet.Yes.Sheseeksnotoneimpossiblequest,buttwo.Shehopes

toeitherfreeordestroyanetherdragon—”

“Yes…andalsotakefromabloodelfastaffthathestolefromafriend’smurderedcorpse.”

Vereesa’sexpressionturnedcolddespitethenearbypool.“ButZendarinismineandnooneelse’s….”

Hestudiedherfaceinconcern.“Apersonalquest,apersonalfeud.Iwillnotaskyouwhy,but

remindyouofthefollyofsuch.”

“Youarehardlyonetojudgethat,”therangercurtlyreplied,standing.Sheglancedaroundatthe

monstrousdisplay.“Andwhatdoyoumakeofthis?IsthisleftoverfromDeathwingorhischildren?”

“No…thisistheobsessionofthemotherofNefarianandOnyxia,anobsessionwhosedepthIhave

onlyjustbeguntoappreciate…andfear.Howlongshemusthavecollectedtheseeggs,collectedthem
andthencorruptedeach—nodoubtwiththeaidoftheaccursed,stillmalevolentDemonSoul—forher
ownfouldesires!Andhow—andhowmucheffortshemusthavegonethrough—tomovethemhereto
GrimBatolaftermyownkindhadabandonedtheirguardingofit.”

“Youthinksheandthiswerenotherealready?”
“She—shecouldnothavebeenhere,doneallthisevil,andnotbenoticedbythosekeeping

sentinel.No,Sinestrahasonlyrecentlycometothisforlornplace,butshehas—hassettledinvery,very,
well!”

Hedidhisbesttopushhimselfup.Vereesaquicklyaidedhimwhenitbecameclearthathewas

abouttodropagain.“Thank—thankyou.Iamgrowingstrongerbythemoment,thoughIhopeneverto
gothroughthatagain.ThatismorethewayoftheEarth-Warder,Deathwing’slot.Butfireinanyform
isavaluedpartoflifeandthatenabledmetodowhatIdid.”Thedragonmagescowledatthemany
eggs.“And,asaservantoflife,thishideousmockeryofit—”Krasusgesturedatoneoftheswollen
eggs.“—fillsmewithsuchragethatIcoulddestroythischamberandallinitwithlittleregardformy
owndestruction!”

Vereesalookedaghast,fearingthathewouldfollowthroughonhisdirenotion.Shesawherself

perishingwithhim,leavingherchildrenandRhoninwithoutherandZendarinabletogohuntingthe
twinsathisleisure.Muchasshe,too,thoughtthatthiscaverndeservedrazing,shewasselfishenough
towanttoatleastprotectherfamilyfirst.

ButKrasusshookhishead.“No,thatIcannotdojustyet.ThatwouldleaveSinestratostillplot.

Shehasthenetherdragonathermercyandoneabominationalreadyborn.Shemayfindanotherblueor
reddragon—magicandlife—tofurtherhercreation’shorrificpowers—”

“Whywouldsheevenneedtodothat?Shehaseggsfromyourflightandlikelyonesstolenover

thegenerationsfromeventheblues,rareastheyare.Shecouldraiseherown.”

“Theraisingwouldrequiremoretrouble,andshewouldneedamatureadult,wellintotheirpower

foryears,toevenhopetoachievewhatshedesires.Sinestrahaspatience,butnotinallthings.Besides,
therehavebeenmanygenerationsinwhichsheherselfhashadtohideasmuchasplot.”Hesmiled
slightlyassomethingelsebecameapparent.“Andtherearefewenougheggsoftheotherflights.They
wouldbemorevaluabletoherthanherown…whichissurelywhatalltheseblackflighteggsare.”

“Allfromonedragonalone?”
“Itlookslikesomany,butthesehavebeensalvagedovermanycenturies….”Heshookhishead.

“ThetremendousrangeofyearsDeathwingandhisblooduseforsomeoftheirplotseveramazes
me….”

Vereesashivered.“Dowedestroythemonebyone,then?Thetwoofustogether—”
“Wouldtakefartoolong.Iamstillweak,youngone,andIthinkIknowwhy….”Krasusgestured

furtherintothebizarrecavern.“AndifIamcorrect,weneedtogothatwaynow.”

Wonderingwhatcouldbeofsuchgreaterimportancetothedragonmage,Vereesaaidedhimin

headinginthedirectionindicated.Astheyleftthevicinityoftheeggs,theheatfromthepoolsbeganto
takeover,somuchsothatitgrewharderforthehighelftobreathe.

Theareaalsotookonamorecrimsoncast,thepoolsnowtheonlysourceoflight.Whileshehad

usuallytrustedKrasusinthepast,therangerbegantowonderifheactuallyknewwherehewasgoing.

Thecowledfiguresuddenlygroaned.“Yes…”hegasped.“Weareveryclose.”
“Closetowhat?”
ButKrasusdidnotclarify,insteadpeeringatsomethingahead.Evenwiththeeyesofahighelf,

Vereesacouldnotseewhatitwasuntilseveralmoreunsteadysteps.

Theglowwasbarelyperceptibleatfirst,onlyaslight,goldenglimmer.Itemanatedfroma

chamberwhoseentrancewasacrackthat,whenfinallyreachedbythepair,hadtobeenteredoneata
timeandsideways.

Krasushesitated.“Iwillgofirst…butIneedyoutofollowquicklyafter.IdonotknowhowwellI

willbeabletowithstandwhatisinthere.”

“Whatisit?”
Helookedbackatherashebegantoslipthrough.“Oneofmynightmares…”
Andwiththat,thedragonmagevanishedintothechamber.AwarethatKrasuswasnotoneto

overstateasituation,therangerimmediatelyfollowedafter.Shepressedherbackagainsttherockand
slidfromthepreviouscavern,wonderingwhatshewouldfind.

“ItisasIsuspectedandfeared,”Krasuswhispered,staringatwhatlayahead.“Anditmadeonly

toomuchsense,especiallywithher.”

Evenashespoke,Krasusstartedtolosehislegs.Vereesaquicklyleapttohissideandhelpedhim

righthimself.

Thedragonmagesworewithavehemencetherangerhadneverbeforeheardfromhim.Shecould

seethebitternessinhisface,abitternessfocusedingreatpart,Vereesaknew,athimself.

Hergazeturnedtoasmallplatformcarvedfromtheverystoneofwhichthemountwascomposed.

Setatopitwasthesourceoftheglow…ahorrificartifactthatsherecognizeddespiteitsoddstate.

“OneshardIhad,”Krasusrasped.“AnothertinyoneIfound.Oftherest,Isawnothingandfeared

nothingof…butonlyshecouldresurrecteventhismuchofthatabomination…onlyDeathwing’s
consortcouldevendreamoftryingtorecreateanyaspectoftheDemonSoul….”

NINETEEN

rendadidnotnoticeVereesa’sdisappearanceuntilwellintothetrektofreedom.Whenshedid,the

dwarfdebatedcallingforahalt,thendecidedagainstit.Therangerhadmadeherownchoice;Grenda
hadtoconcernherselfwithherownpeople’swell-being.

ThisdidnotmeanthatsheonlyintendedtoleadthemoutofGrimBatol.Afterall,the

Bronzebeardshadcometothemountonamission.Grendasoughtanexit,yes,butshewasalsoona
lookoutforanythingrelatingtothegoingsoninthedireplace.

And,atlastshefoundjustthat.Thechamberwashugeandinitwasasightbothfearsomeand

striking.

Thegreatbeastboundbymagicalstrandscouldonlybethecauseofthegreatroarsofanguishthat

theBronzebeardshadheardonandoffovertherecentdays.Itwaslikenodragonthatshehadseenand
appearedmoreapparitionthansubstance.

“What’retheydoin’withthatthing?”mutteredonedwarfnearher.
“Somethingfoul,”remarkedanother.
Grendashushedthemboth.Asconcernedasshewasabouttheimprisonedbeastandthepurpose

forthatsituation,thefemaledwarfalsoneededtostudythechamber’slayout.

Thefirstthingsshenoticedwerethefiveskardyntakingcareofvarioustasksinthevicinityofthe

dragon.Theyseemedgreatlyengrossedintheirefforts,almostasiftheirlivesdependeduponit.After
thedragonandthem,thenextpointofinteresttoherwasalongridgerunningalongthesideofthe
cavern,onethatshesawledtoanotherpassagethat,toherbestestimation,hadtoleadtosomeexit.

Grendacametoadecision.Firstandforemost,sheneededtogetthebandoutside.Theyhadsome

weapons,true,butmostlypikesandwhips,nottheirfavoredaxesorshortswords.Theywerealsoworn
andbeaten.Bettertoescape,thensendwordtothekingofwhattheyhaddiscovered.Theyhadgathered
enoughinformationthatthosewithsharpermindswouldlikelybeabletoputtwoandtwotogetherand
comeupwiththecompletepicture.

“Wegoforthatpassage,”sheorderedtheothers.Therewasnodisagreement;Grendawastheir

leadernowandhercommandswouldbefollowedasifshewereRom.

Rom.Shewonderedwhathadhappenedtohim,wherehisbodylay.Theywouldprobablyhaveto

passnearwheretheothershadperished;perhapsamongthemshemightdiscoverhiscorpse.

Ifthere’sanywaytobringyoubackforburial,I’lldoit,shesworetohisshade.AlthoughGrenda

couldnotevenadmitittoherself,shehadfalleninlovewiththeveteranfighter.Ithadstartedas
admirationforhisdeedsandreputation,turnedtorespectasshehadfollowedhimonthismission,and
becamemuchmorethelongershehadbeenaroundhimandlearnedofthedwarfbehindthelegend.

Grendagrittedherteeth.Withonlyfiveskardynaboutandnoneofthemneartheridge,itwastime

foraction,notregrets.Shewavedtwooftheothersuptoher.

“Onmymark,youmoveasquicklyasyoucantotheotherside.Keeplow,keeprunning.”
Theynodded,thenbracedthemselvesforhersignal.Grendaglancedfromoneskardyntoanother,

watchingwheretheirattentionlay.

“Gonow!”
Thetwowarriorsscurriedforth.Grendawatchedwithanxiousnessasthepairwendedtheirway

alongtheridge.Thetwomadeitaquarteroftheway,thenhalf,thentwo-thirds…and,atlast,tothe
otherside.

Bythattime,shealreadyhadtwomoreready.Assoonasthefirsttwowerenearlyacross,the

dwarvencommandersentthem.

Insetsoftwo,herbandcrossed,butmuchtooslowlyforGrenda.Eachsecond,shewaitedforone

oftheskardyntolookup,buttheyneverdid.Wherealltheotherswere,Grendadidnotknow.She
wonderedwhethertheywerehuntingthehighelforthedraenei,whonoonehadseeninalmostaslong
atimeastheyhadRom.

Asshethoughtoftheothers,Grendasenttwomoreofherpeopleon.However,theyhadbarely

gottenathirdofthewaywhentheescapeeswerefinallynoticed…butnotbythosebelow.

Theskardynwhosoundedthealarmhadcrawledoutofoneoftheopeningswellabove,onewhich

noBronzebeardwouldhavebeenabletouse.Thescalycreatureclimbedalongthehighcavernwall
likeaspider.Ithadquicklyseenthetwofightersracingalongandhadopeneditsmouthtoletouta
gutturalshriekthatsoundedasiffromthegrave.

Theotherskardynimmediatelyturnedtostoptheescapees.Worse,othersbeganpouringoutof

holeseverywhere,nolongerremindingGrendaofspidersbutalegionofpoisonousants.

“Everyoneacross!Now!”
Therestracedforward,Grendatakingrearguard.Shewieldedoneofthepikes,whichnowfelt

highlyungainlyasshesoughttoreachtheotherpassage.Thedwarftooksomesolaceinthefactthat
mostoftheskardynwouldnotbeabletoreachtheridgebeforethepartyleftthecavern.Therewasalso
thebenefitthatneitherthewhipsnorthepikeswouldbeofanyuseuntilthatmoment—

Asmallobjectwhistledpastherhead.Atthesametime,oneofthosejustbeforeGrendaletouta

cryandtoppledofftheridgetothefloorfarbelow.Grendacouldseethathewasalreadydeadlong
beforehisbodyhit.

Sheglancedatthewallnexttoher,wheretheobjecthadstruckandstuck.Itwasatinystoneball

withspikesatleasttwoinchesinlength.Grendaknewthematerialfromwhichithadbeencarvedand
understoodimmediatelyhowdeadlyitwasevenforadwarvenskull.

Anotherofherpeopleletoutahowlandfell.Thistime,though,thebodylaysprawledonthe

ridge,blockingthepath.

Therewasnotimeforniceties.“Shoveheroff!”Grendashouted.“Doit!”
Thedwarfnexttothebodyknelttodojustthat—andanotherspikedballcaughthiminthethroat.

Hefellintothecorpseandbothslippedfromtheridge.

Theskardynwereusingadevicethatlookedalmostlikeatinycrossbow.Grendarecognizedthe

weaponfromhistoricalrecords.Thedwyar’hun—thenameliterallymeant“starbow”intheolder
dialect,thespikedballbeingthe“star”—hadbeenusedbyBronzebeardslongago,too,buthad
eventuallybeendiscarded.Theskardynstillapparentlyfavoredthisweapon,though.

Theonedisadvantagetothedwyar’hunwasthat,whiletheskardyncouldapparentlycockitusing

onehandandtheirteeth—anecessitywhenonewasclingingtoacavernwall—onlyoneballcouldbe
loadedatatimeandthatslowly,asitrequiredmanipulationbythesamehand.Indeed,thesalvothat
hadslainthreeofhernumberwasallbutoverandthedwarvesnowhadatleastsomebreathingspace
beforethenextpossibleshot.

Butthatmomentaryrespitewasquicklyshatteredasthoseattheotherpassagebeganpiling

togetherinsteadofmovingon.Thereasonforthatwassoonevident;anothergroupofskardynhad
comefromelsewheretoblockthepath.Moreadeptwiththeirparticularweapons,theywereforcingthe
escapedprisonersbacktothecavern…andcertaindoom.

However,theBronzebeardswouldnotgodowneasily.Theyusedthepikesandwhipsasbestthey

couldandmanagedsomewell-struckblowsthemselves.Grenda’sremainingbrotherusedhispiketo
shoveoneclimbingskardyndownatopanother,sendingbothtotherockfloorfarbelow.Another
dwarf,thisonearmedwithawhip,caughtaskardynaboveasitcrawledfromanearbyhole.Thelash
circledonearmenoughsothatwhenthedwarfpulled,histargetlosthold.

Unfortunately,theBronzebeardsstillcouldnotbreakthrough.Grendalookedback,wonderingif

therestshouldretreat.

Skardynburstoutoftheotherpassage.Thedwarvesweretrappedbetweenthemonanarrowridge

where,onewayoranother,theywouldbepickedoffuntiltheyeithersurrenderedorperished.

Andthen,totheuttersurpriseofeveryone—butespeciallytheskardyn—anewmenace

materializednearthecaptureddragon,amenaceofthelikesGrendacouldonlyimagineoutofher
nightmares.

Araptor…raptors…
Grendacountedtwo,thenthree,thenfourormore.Shecouldswearthattheyliterallypoppedinto

existence,forwhatelsewouldexplaintheirsudden,impossiblepresenceinhereofallplaces.

Theraptorsfacedawayfromthedragon,strikingatthenearestskardynwithwildabandon.Caught

off-guard,thenearestskardynperishedinaquickrippingofflesh.

Andasthereptilesturnedthebattletoutterchaos,amorefamiliarfigureappearednearthebound

leviathan:Iridi,thedraenei,butnotalone.Withherwasahumanwhoborethelookofawizard,a
humanwiththick,redhair.

Grendaknewofonlyonewizardwithredhairandalthoughtheremightbemore,shehadto

assumethattherewasonlyonedaring—perhapsfoolhardy—enoughtoleapintoGrimBatol.Romhad
toldherthestoriesofthehuman,andtherangerhadmentionedhim,too,albeitinamuchmoreintimate
manner.

RhoninDragonhearthadcometotheirrescue.
Butthatwasnotquitethecase,Grendathoughtthenextsecond.First,hecouldnothaveknown

thattheywouldbehereatthismoment.InGrimBatol,yes,butnothere.Indeed,bothheandthe
priestesslookedfarmoreconcernedwiththeunsettlingdragonthananyoneelse.Iridiwasworking
feverishlyatoneofthecrystalsthatmarkedeachendofthestrandsholdingthemassiveprisonerin
place.Thefemaledwarfunderstoodthattheyweretryingtoreleasethebehemoth.

Shethoughtthembothinsane,buthadtoassumethattheyknewsomethingthatshedidnot.What

matteredmoretoher,though,wasthesuddenturnofevents.Withtheskardynnowforcedtotakeonnot
onebuttwozealousfoes—andawizardbesides—shehadhopesforherpeople’ssurvival.

Then,fromoneofthelowerpassages,halfadozendragonspawnledbyadrakonidchargedtoward

IridiandRhonin.Araptormaterializednexttooneofthedragonspawnandimmediatelyattacked.
GrendanoticedthatRhoninhadgesturedatthesametime.Helookeddetermined,butweary,andshe
knewthathehadalreadyspenthimselfmuchtocreatethisfantasticscenario.

Twomoreoftheraptorsturnedtoattackthenewcomers.Adragonspawnwithanaxcutdownthe

first,butthenthesecondclosedwiththefour-leggedgiant.

Aheavyfiguresuddenlydroppeddownonthefemaledwarf.Captivatedbytheeventsbelow,

Grendahadforgottentowatchherownback.Theskardynpresseddownonher,tryingtopushthe
dwarvencommanderofftheledge.

Grendatwisted,managingtoturnonherback.Themonstrouscountenanceofthedegenerated

DarkIronloomedinchesfromherownface.Thesharpteethtriedtosnapathernose.

“You—are—onefilthy—beast!”shesnapped.Herleftarmcollapsed,asifweak.Theskardyn—it

wasimpossibletotellwhetherthescalythingwasmaleorfemale—hissedinanticipation,ahissthat
endedinachokingsoundastheskilledBronzebeardwarriorslippedherlefthandunderitsguard,
formedastrongedgewiththefingers,andjammedthemintohissquat,shortthroat.

Theskardynpulledbackasittriedtobreathe.Grendausedherbodytoshovethegaspingfiendoff

bothherandtheridge.

Sherosetofindhercomradesholdingtheirown.Below,theraptorsandRhoninkepttheother

guardsatbay,butIridiappearedtobehavingdifficultywithwhatshewasattempting.Attheveryleast,
itseemedtoGrendathatthedraeneiwasnofurtheralongthanshehadbeenmomentsbefore.

Suddenly,thundershookthecavern,thundersopowerfulthatitsentskardynplummetingfromthe

wallsanddwarvesfromtheledge.Grendahadneverheardsuchthunderandwasamazedthatitcould
befeltsodeepwithinGrimBatol.

Butthenthedwarfrealizedwhyshehadneverheardsuchthunder…becauseitwasnotthunderat

all.

Itwasaroar.

Thetimehascome,ZendarinWindrunnerhaddecidedbutminutesbefore.Thisisnolongerworth

myefforts….

Hehadalwaysknownhispartnerinthisaffairwasmad,butapparentlymadnesswas

commonplacewhenitcametoanythingrevolvingaroundthisaccursedlumpofdirtcalledGrimBatol.
Hehimselfmusthavebeenmadtohaveeveracceptedheroffertorevealtohimnewsourcesofmagical
energyinexchangeforhisassistancewithherspells.Theircreationwouldhavegivenhimaccessto
moremagicthanathousandbloodelvescouldgatherintheirnotinconsiderablelifetimes…magicand
dominance.

Butnowwasthemomenttobeginwhathehadintendedallalong.Thethinginthepithadgrown

rapidly;itwassurelynearitsfullpotential.

AllZendarinhadtodowasgiveitthatfinalpush…andatthesametimesealhisownmasteryover

it.

Hesteppedtothepit.Althoughhegazedhard,theircreationwasstilldifficulttomakeout.The

creatureradiatedaunique,fascinatingenergythatthebloodelfhungeredbadlyfor,butthatwasafeast
forabettertime.Now…nowhehadtobetheonetodothegiving.

Throughtheceruleancubeintheotherchamber,thenetherdragonwaseverboundtothething

here.However,thelinkhadtobepurposelyopened,generallybyZendarinandthedarkladytogether.
Zendarinhadalwaysindicatedthatthestaffhehadstolencoulddonomorethanithadinthatregard.

Naturally,hehadlied.
Thestaffwasfascinating.Hehadtrickedthedraeneiintorevealingthesecretsofitsusewhilein

anotherguise.Hehaddiscoveredhowtomakethestaffworkforhimandhimalonesothatnoone
couldthinktotakeitfromhiminturn.Ifshehadtried,thestaffwouldhavereturnedtoitscreators,the
beingscalledthenaaru.Thatwaswhatshouldhavehappenedwhenhehadslainthedraenei,ifnotfor
thefactthathehadlearnedthesecretoftransfer,asecretevenshecouldnotpeelfromhismind.

Thatwasperhapsthegreatestreasonwhyshehadneveractuallyfollowedthroughwithherthreats

againsthim.Despiteallherhubris,Zendarinknewthathehadstillbeenanessentialelementofthe
spellwork.

Butwhereshedesireddominationoverall,hewouldbesatisfiedwithdominationoversomeand

thesatiationofhiseternalhunger.Zendarinleanedovertheedgemoreandpointedthecrystalatwhere

hebestestimatedthebulkofthecreature—Dargonax,shehadsograndioselycalledit—and
concentrated.

Thestaff’sastoundingenergyflowedintothepit.Asitstruck,itoutlinedforthefirsttime

Dargonax’sfullglory.

Zendaringaspedandalmostlosthisfocus.Itwasfarmorehugeandpowerfulthanhehadthought!

Surelyevenshedidnotcomprehendthefullscopeofwhattheyhadwrought.

Andthatonlymadethebloodelfgrinmoreeagerly.Ashefedthestaff’spowerintothebeast,he

alsousedittoawakenthecube,awakenitanddemandthatittakefromtheimprisoneddragonallthatit
couldandfeedthatalsointoDargonax.

Asbothmagicalstreamspouredintotheessenceofthecreature,itsuddenlyletloosewitha

tremendousroarthatshookGrimBatol.However,caughtupinhislustforthegreatermagicwithwhich
hebelievedhisbetrayalwouldrewardhim,thebloodelfonlylaughed.Hewasmasterofthesituation
now.

Hewasmasterofeverything….

ButasZendarincontinuedwithhistraitorousact,hedidnotnoticeashadowthatseparatedfrom

othersinthechamber.

Sinestrawatchedthebloodelfcommittohisbetrayal.Shesmiledinsatisfactionasheworkedto

takeallthatshehadsetintoplaceashisown.WhenSinestrawascertainthattherewouldbenogoing
backforZendarin,shesankintotheshadowsagainandvanished.

AllwasgoingjustasDeathwing’sconsorthadplanned,allsaveforthequestionofKorialstrasz.
Butthatwasaproblemeasilyremedied….

Therewasanotherwhoheardtheroarandfearedwhatitmeant,especiallyasthevoiceinhishead

wasnolongerthere.KalecsoughthardforDargonax’spresence,butnotbecausehedesiredthecreature
tostaywithhim.Rather,nowthatitappearedthathewasfree,thebluehadhisowninterestswith
whichtodeal.TheydidnotdirectlydealwiththemissingKorialstrasz,butifKalecranacrossthered,
hewouldbynomeansavoidhim.

Kalecstillhadreservationsconcerningtheotherdragon.HedidnottrustmanyofKorialstrasz’s

choices,althoughhedidhavetoadmitthattheredwasmorethanwillingtoputhisownlifeontheline
forthosechoices.Thatwassomethingthathehadnotsomuchbelieveduntilthispoint.Kalechad
alwaysthoughtKorialstraszmoreofamanipulator,insomewaysascallousasevenDeathwing.

No…he’snoDeathwing,thebluethoughtwithsomeshame.Butneitherisheme….Kalecwould

haveneverriskedhisfriendsorlovedones.Never.

Hefollowedatrailthathedidnotunderstand.ItwasnottheonehehadbegununderDargonax’s

guidance.Rather,thebluefeltasifsomeonehadcalledtohim,someonewhosuddenlyhadceased
doingso.Yet,Kalecdidnotfeelthathecouldignoreit.

Lowerandlowerhedescended.Hewasnear,verynear,tosomething.
Whathethoughtamovementintheshadowedrecessesofthepassagecaughthisgaze.Theblue

cautiouslyturnedtowardit.

Ablueglowsphereburstfromhisemptyhand.Initslight,theyoungerdragonsawnothingbut

rockwall.

Cursinghisownanxiety,Kaleccontinuedon.Hehopedthatsoonhewouldfindwhateveritwas

hewasmeanttofind.

Then,agoldenglowradiatedfromsomepointfarahead.Kalecgrippedthemagicbladetight.As

hemovedcloser,hesawthattherewassomechamberthere.

Thegoldenglowbroughtbackmemorieshehadtriedtokeepdown.Anveena’sfaceappeared

beforehim,bothbeautifulandinnocent.Shehadtouchedhimasnootherhadorevercould…andnow
shewasgone.

Hisearlierireatthereddragonburnedanew.ItwasKorialstrasz—intheguiseofthewizardBorel

—whohadcausedAnveenasuchgrief.Itwasthered’sfaultthatKalechadlostherforever.Itwas—

Hesteppedintothechamber…andsawKorialstraszasthemageKrasusbeingguidedbyahighelf

towardastrangebrokencrystal.

Rageoverwhelminghim,Kalecletoutaroarandchargedthered.
BothKorialstraszandthehighelflookedhisway.Thehighelf—aranger—releasedthedragon

mageandmovedtoblockKalecfromhim.

Thebluehadnoquarrelwithher.ShewasclearlyanotherofKorialstrasz’sdupes,likelythinking

hisguiseasKrasusmadehimatrustedfriend,notaninsidious,uncaringplotter.Kalecgesturedand,
despitesomesudden,unsettlingweaknessthatheblamedonhiscounterpart,hisspellsentthehighelf
flyingtooneofthewalls,wheretherocksealedaroundherwristsandankles.Thereshewouldkeep
untilhehaddealtwithhisfoe.

“Kalec!”Korialstraszstarted.“Youlive!Ithought—”Theblue’sragesuddenlyregisteredwith

him.“Kalec,listentome!Thereissomethingwrongwithyou—”

ButKalecwasawareofthedangeroflettingthecunningred’swordsinfiltratehismind.Gritting

histeeth,heswungatthecowledfigure.

However,hisbladewasmetbyafieryorange-redswordthatsproutedfromhisfoe’shandjustas

Kalec’shad.KalechadtaughtKrasusthespellduringaquietmomentonthejourneyandtheironyof
thatwasnotnowlostonthered.Thetwosharedonestingingblowafteranother,mostoftheoffensive
onesontheblue’sside.Yet,notforaminutedidKalecthinkKorialstrasz’shesitationagainstattacking
inturnanythingmorethanaploy.Hehadtostrikedowntheolderredbeforethelattercouldput
whatevertrickhehadintomotion.

“Kalec!Youarenotthinkingforyourself!Anotherisdoingthatforyou!Gazeuponthefoul

artifactnearusandunderstandthereason!”

Despitehimself,thebluedragondidglanceforjustasinglebreathatthatwhichKorialstraszhad

mentioned.Forthefirsttime,hesawtheoddly-cracked,glowingsphere.Shardsofitweremissinghere
andthere,yet,someforceheldittogether.

Moreover,thatsameforceseemedtoalsobethesourceofastrangepulsation.AsKalec’sand

Korialstrasz’smagic-wroughtswordsclashedagain—sendingoffshowersofenergy—thepulsations
magnified.

Butalthoughhesawthattherewaslikelyalinkbetweentheactions,Kalecassumedthatthey

couldonlybefromonesource…thecowledfigurebeforehim.

“Amasteroftrickeryasusual!”hegrowled.“Butnotamasterofmagic…”
Kalec’sblade,abouttomeettheotheryetagain,suddenlycurledaroundasifatentacle.Itwrapped

aroundKorialstrasz’sarmandburnedbright.

Withacry,thereddragonreleasedhisownweapon,whichfadedtonothing.
Theyoungerdragontuggedhard,pullingKorialstrasztowardhim.Inhisotherhand,asecond

weaponformed.

ButtherockbeneathKalec’sfeetchosethatmomenttosproutlifeintheformofgreatvinesthat

burstthroughcrackstotanglehisfeet.Hemanagedtoslicesome,butintheendlosthisbalance.

Bothopponentstumbledtothefloor.Korialstraszgrabbedtheyoungerdragon’sarm.“Hearme!

Wearebeingmanipulated!Sinestrahasdrawnustogetherintotheveryplacesheintendedweendup!

Doyounotfeelyourselfgettingweakeryet?Doyounotrecallthetalesofmypeople’ssufferingswhen
theychosetostandguardoverGrimBatol?Theveryreasonforthathoversnearus,arebornand
redesignedmonstrositythatsurelystillearnsthetitleDemonSoul!”

ApartofKalecregisteredwhattheotherdragonsaid,butitwasnotagreatenoughpartto

overcometheintensefuryandmistrusthefeltforKorialstrasz.“Sparemeyourlies!Thisisjustas
likelyyourdevioustrapasitisthatwitch’s!”

Witheachpassingmoment,Kalec’sstrengthwanedmore,buthisuncheckedangerkepthim

fighting.HewouldnotgiveintoKorialstrasz!Hewouldnot!

Thebluedragonfocusedallhismagicononespell.Hedidnotseektoconjureanyintricateattack,

butmerelywantedtomakecertainthatwhenithitKorialstrasz,therewouldbenodoubtastothe
outcome.

Thecowledfigure’spalevisagedistortedinclearrecognitionofwhathisyoungerfoeintended.

Korialstrasz’sdismayfurtherfueledKalec’spleasure.Intheblue’smind,Anveena’sfacesmiledathis
impendingtriumph.

Kalecsmiledbackather,allthewhileignoringKorialstrasz’sentreaties.
“Foryou,Anveena…”hewhispered.
Thebluedragonunleashedeverything.

GrimBatolshookagain.Dwarves,skardyn,drakonid…allweretossedaboutasiftinytoys.
Thepain!Zzerakusuddenlyroaredinthedraenei’shead.Thepain!Ittearsmeapart!
“Whathappens?”Iridishoutedoutloudtothedragon.
“Keepatit!”calledRhonin,thinkingshewasspeakingwithhim.“Keepatit—”
Hisvoicefailedhimastheboundnetherdragonsuddenlyshimmered.Zzeraku’sbodyallbutfaded

awayforamoment.Aterriblemoanescapedthesufferingleviathan.

Thepain!Iambeingeaten!
Havecourage!thepriestesstoldZzeraku.Havecourage!
Herwords,herstrength,cutthroughhissuffering.Zzerakustaredather.Whydoyoudothisfor

me?Thedraeneihaveloveformykind,afterallthathashappened!

Iridiwassteadfast.Idoitbecauseyoudon’tdeservethis….
I—donot?
Then,elsewhere,yetanotherhorrificroarsentfurtherchillsdownthespinesofall.Eventhe

raptorscoweredatitsforce.

“Ihavethisterriblefeelingthatwe’retoolate,”Rhoninsaid.

TWENTY

ewasalive.Krasuswasnotsurprisedbythatmiracle,butneitherwasheentirelypleased.Kalec’s

attackhadfailed,butfailedforadarkerreason.

“Ah,thegreatKorialstrasz…defenderofthelesserraces,saviorofAzeroth…thegrandestfool

everborn…”declaredthevoiceofDeathwing’sconsort.

Krasuscouldbarelymove.Itwaspainfuljusttolifthisheadenoughtoseeherstridetowardthe

re-craftedDemonSoulandtouchitasalovingmotherwouldacherishedoffspring.Thedragonmage
doubtedthatSinestrahadevertreatedNefarianorOnyxiaso,butthentheyhadnotexistedsolelyfor
herambitionandmadness.TheDemonSoulhadnomindofitsown,nopotentialdreamof
independence….

“Itshall—itshallneverw-work!”hemanagedtocroak.“Intheend—youshallonlyhave—have

disappointment—anddeath…”

“Preachnottome,Korialstrasz,”theblackdragonmocked,nowpeeringupinamusementata

stunnedVereesa.“Yes,mydarling,youarealsoalive,albeittemporarily.Youshouldthankmeforthat
miracle.Alltheforcethisimpetuousyoungfoolsoughttounleashwassteeredelsewherethroughmy
goodefforts….”

Krasussnorted.“Itwas—itwasyourvilewhisperingin—intheblue’smindinthefirst—first

placethatmadehimcastsuchaforceofviolence.”

“Ofcourse!Hemadesuchawonderfullydelectablechoice!Youcanimaginehowenjoyableitwas

tofindoutnotonlythathewasalive,butthathisthoughtswereinsuchdistressthatIcouldeasily
manipulatethemagainstyou!Yourcontinualinterferenceintheaffairsoftheworldhasleftyouwith
manylikehim,Korialstrasz….”

“Andyouare—arebreedingyourowndestruction,S-Sinestra!Youcannot—cannotcontrolwhat

youhavewrought!Thinkuponthatbeforeitistoolate—”

Shegaveacurtwavewithherhand,andhewentflyingupagainsttheceiling.Krasusscreamedas

hehit,butnotonlybecauseoftheforce.

Thepointofalong,wickedstalactite—astalactitereinforcedbytheblackdragon’spower—thrust

throughhischest.

Astreamofthered’slifefluidsdrizzledontothechamberfloor.Krasusgasped,yet,despitewhat

seemedamortalwound,heremainedconscious.

“AllgoesasIdesire,mydarlingKorialstrasz,andalwayshas!Ihaveadjustedforevery

eventualityandalthoughIwillgrantyousomesurpriseonmypartatyourabilitytoescapethe
chrysalunchamber,youractonlyservedtoenablemetobringmatterstoaswifterandmoresatisfying
conclusion!”

“Youwill—youwillonlybringyourselfto—toaswifterdoom,Itellyou!Evennow—”

“Evennow,yourothercompanionsaretryinginvaintoeitherescapeor,inthecaseoftwo,

actuallydaretofreethenetherdragon….”Shesmiledattheexpressionsofboththedragonmageand
theranger.“Ah!Someofthisisnotknowntoyou?You,mydearhighelf,shouldbeespecially
interested,asIdobelievethatwiththedraeneiwhoisknowntobothofyou,thereisahumanwizard…
ahumanwiththeredhairmarkinghimasKorialstrasz’sfavoredlackey!”

“Rhonin?”Vereesagasped.
“Suchalovingmate…”Theveiledfigure’sexpressionmomentarilyhardened.“Suchaloving

mate…”Thesenseoftriumphreturned.“Buttheyarebothmerelyreadyingthemselvestoaddtothe
reservoirofmagicalenergiesIhavebeencollectingformynewchildren….”

Asavageroarshookthechamber,almostsendingKrasusfallingtothefloor.Atthelastmoment,

Sinestrareinforcedhisagonizingcaptivity.

“Listen—listentothat—Sinestra!Eachtimehecriesout,yourcreationsoundslarger,stronger….”
“But,ofcourse!Thatisthepoint!Really,Korialstrasz,Ithinkyourmindisfinallygoing.”
Thecowledfiguremanagedtoshakehishead.“Youwillneverunderstanduntilitis—”He

groaned.“—isfartoolate…”

Shelaughed.“Doyoufeeltheweaknessspreading?Doyoufeelthenumbnessembracingyou?

WhenIgatheredupwhatfragmentstherewereoftheDemonSoul,Ifoundwithinitaresidualenergy
likenoneIhadeverseen.Moreinteresting,thepiecesappearedtobetryingtodrawinmoreenergy,as
ifseekingtorejuvenatemydear,unlamentedmate’screation.”Sinestracaressedthegleamingconstruct.
“Itwasasiffatehadgrantedmeitsfavor.IalreadyhadBalacgos’sBane,whichwouldworksohand-
in-handwithwhatwasleftoftheSoulthatitwasalmostasifIhadplanneditmyself!”

KrasusknewofBalacgos’sBane,acubeofceruleancreatedbyoneofMalygos’selderoffspring.

Allblueswerecaretakersofmagic,butBalacgoshadgoneonestepfurther;hehaddesignedthecubeto
dealwithasituationthathethoughtendangeredAzeroth…theunharnessedlatentmagicalenergythat
wasspreadthroughouttheworld,magicalenergythatnoonecontrolled,butthatcouldbeusedbyany
unscrupulouspractitioneroftheartswhocameuponthem.

Thecubehadbeendesignedtoseekandtakeintoitselfanysuchenergiesthatitsensed.Oneonly

hadtoactivateitwiththeirownpower.Thecubewasintendedtobeareservoir,keepingthatmagic
availableforwhentheblueflightmightneedit.

Butuponfirstusinghisgrandcreation,Balacgoshaddiscoveredasmallerrorinhiscalculations.

Thecubehadsensednearbymagicandabsorbedit…butthatmagichadbeenthedragon’s.

Theotherdragonshadfoundhimadriedhusk,bluesbeingsomuchapartofmagicitselfthatit

wasasmuchtheirlifeastheirbloodorotherlifefluids.

ThishadbeenintheancienttimeswhenMalygoshadstillbeentrulysaneandDeathwinghadyet

beenthetrustedEarth-Warder,Neltharion.Krasusrecalledwithsomeironythat,inordertokeepthe
cubefromdoingharmtohispeople,Malygoshad,onNeltharion’ssuggestion,passeditontohis
trustedfriendtoburydeepwithinAzeroth.

Ithadbeenlikegivinganassassinadaggerandtellinghimnottouseit.
Still,likewhatremainedoftheDemonSoul,Balacgos’sBanehadobviouslyhaditspurpose

altered.Now,thetwoartifactsgaveSinestratheultimatematrixforabsorbingtheenergiessheneeded
tocreateadragonsuchashadneverflownanyworld’ssky.

“ItwillnottakemuchlongerforbothofyoutobedrainedofwhatIneed,”Sinestraexplained.“In

themeantime,Ishallseetothedraeneiandthehuman.Theirpowerswithyourswillmakeadelightful
mix!AshameyouwillnotbealivetoseewhatIcreatewithit,Korialstrasz!Ithinkthatevenyou
wouldfinditmostinteresting….”

Krasustriedtoretort,butthecombinationofhiswoundandtheweaknessfromthedrainingwere

toomuch.Hecouldonlystareattheblackdragon…andtheinfernalartifact.

“Oh,yes,”cooedSinestra.“Oneotherthingyoushouldknow.Youwouldhavenevermanagedto

destroyit,anyway.IhaveworkedhardtomakecertainthatnopowerbornofAzerothcanshatterthe
Soulthistime,includinganyblackdragon’sscale,muchlessmylatelord’s….”

“Youhave—onlymademattersmoreterrible—then.”
“Youarepersistent,areyounot,Korialstrasz?Ishallmissyourblinddetermination,Ishall….”
Thedarkladylaughedoncemore…andvanished.
“Krasus!”Vereesacalled.“Istherenothingthatyoucando?”
Heshookhishead.Itwasallthathecoulddotokeepconsciousandsoonthatwouldevenbe

beyondhisability.ThedragonmageeyedKalec.Theblue’sfacewasverypaleandeventhered’ssharp
eyescouldbarelydetectmovementofthechest.

“Then…Imusthopethat—thatthiswillwork!”
Krasusheardascrapingsoundfromtheranger’sdirection,butcouldnotseewhatmightbethe

cause.Then,therecameasharpcrack—

“Unnh!”Theclatterofrockfilledhisears.Amomentlater,thedragonmageheardfootsteps.
Afiguremovedbelowhim.KrasusmanagedtofocusenoughtoseeVereesastandingthere.
Sheheldupasmall,oddblade.“Iwasholdingthiswhenthebluecastthespellsealingmetothe

wall.Iwasfortunate;heseemedonlytowanttokeepmeaway,notharmme.”

“Kalec—Kalecisnoevilforce.”
Therangerstudiedhissituationasshecontinued,“Imanagedtomovethedaggeraboutenoughto

causeaweaknessintherockhecreated,butitwasonlyamomentagothatIsensedmystrugglingwas
finallytoomuchforthatweakness.”

“Rhonin…Rhoninmadethatforyou.”
“Ofcourse.”Vereesafrowned.“Idonotknowhowtofreeyou,greatone.”
“Mylife…mylifedoesnotmatter…drag…dragKalecfromthischamber.Itis—ismyhopethatin

thechamberoftheeggs,hemightrecover.Theeggsmustbe—mustbeprotectedfromthedrainingor
theywouldallbeuselesstoh-her.”

Rhonin’smatenodded.“Beingdragoneggs,theyhavemagicinthem,too.Youmustberight.

Then,whenherecovers,Kaleccanhelpyou.”

Krasusdidnotarguewithher,althoughheknewverywellthathiswoundwasbeyondKalec’s

ability.Alexstraszamighthavehadthepowertohealherconsort,butshewasfar,farawayandeven
shouldtheyhavesomehowcarriedthewoundedredoutofGrimBatol,hewouldhavebeenlongdead
beforetheycouldgethimtoher.

ButifIcansavethesetwoandtheycanwarnothers,thenmydeathwillhavebeenworthit….
HewatchedasVereesatookholdofKalecandstartedtugginghiminthedirectionoftheother

chamber.Therewasagoodchancethat,ifSinestradidnotcometoinvestigate,whathehadsaid
concerningthebluedragonwouldprovetrue.

Theyweresoonoutofhissight.Krasuscontinuedtoforcehimselftostayconscious.Ifnotforthe

factthathewasoftheredflight,theguardiansoflife,hemighthavealreadywelcomedthereliefof
death.Asitwas,despitetheinevitable,Krasussoughtsomemiracle.Notforhimself,butforallthe
others.

And,mostofall,forRhoninandIridi,whomsurelyDeathwing’sconsortintendedtocapturenext.

Barelyhadtheroarfadedawaywhenanotherchillingsoundfilledthecavern.
Thistime,itwaslaughter.
RhoninandIriditurnedinthedirectionfromwhichithadcometoseethetall,slimladyinblack.

Thescarsontheonesideofherfacewereevidenttothemeventhroughtheveil.

“You’readragon,”Rhonincommented.
Iridishowednosurpriseatthis;afterwhathadhappenedtoKrasusandKalec,thatthisfemalewas

morethansheappearedmadeperfectsense.

“Verygood,RhoninRedhair,”thedragoninmortalguisepurred.“Anddoyouknowwhat

dragon?”

Thewizardshrugged,hisdemeanorquitecalmconsideringthathestoodamidstachaoticbattleof

dwarves,skardyn,dragonspawn,drakonid,andraptors.“Youhavethatadmirabledispositionand
mannerofdarkdressthatmeansyoumustbelongtoDeathwing’sflight.”Hepursedhislipsinthought,
thennodded.“Andsinceyou’renottherabiddogorhistwoworstpups,I’dhazardbyyourgrand
posturingthatyoumustbeoneofhisprimebitches….”

Theladyinblackscowled,takenabackbythehuman’sdaringaffront.Iridigrippedthenaarustaff

tight,awaitinganysignalfromRhonin.ThedraeneiinstinctivelykeptherselfbetweenZzerakuandthe
malevolentfigure.

Flee!Zzerakuwarnedthepriestess.Flee!Sheismonstrous!Forgetme!
Iwon’t!IridifoundZzeraku’sconcernforherheartening,evenunderthecircumstances.
Thedisfigureddragonrecalledherself.Oncemoreactingasifempressofallshesurveyed,she

replied,“IamSinestra,firstandgreatestoftheEarth-Warder’sconsorts….”

“Thatwouldexplainyourlovelycomplexion.MatingwithDeathwingmusthaveliterallysetyour

heartonfire.”

“Isitwisetospeaktoherso?”thedraeneiwhispered.
“Hespeakssobecauseheisafoolconfidentinhismaster,areyounot,Rhonin?Youthink

Korialstrasz—pardonme—Krasus—willsaveyou.Butyourmasterisdead,human,hislifeessencea
contributiontothebirthingofanewera!”

Thepriestesscaughtjustahintofangeratthecornerofthewizard’smouth,butRhoninquickly

smotheredit.“Oh,yes!Thegreatfamilyplot!Let’srebuildorrecreateorcreateanewawondrousflight
inourimage—orsomethingcloseenoughtoit—thatwill—dareIsayit?—takeovertheworld!”

“YouremindmeofmyNefarian…arrogant,blind,anddoomed.”
Sinestragestured.
Ashockwaverushedoverallthere,includingtheblackdragon’sownminions.Notonecreature

wasleftstanding,sopowerfulwastheinvisiblewave.

Notonecreature…saveRhonin.Hisfacewaspale,yes,andhislegswobbled,buthestillstood.
“Ifyouthink…methesameimpetuousupstart…whocameheretodealwithyourmate,”he

rasped.“You’re…you’reonlyhalf-right.”

Hisgazeshiftedtotheceruleancube.Itsuddenlyglowed.
ButSinestraonlychuckled.“Verygood!YouknowBalacgos’sBane…yourmastertaughtyou

well!”

SweatdrippeddownRhonin’sforehead.Throughgrittedteeth,heanswered,“He’snot…my

master…he’smy…friend.”

Thecubeflaredbright…andthenmeltedinonitself,leavingabluepuddlefromwhichsinister

vaporsofalikecolorarose.

Sinestra’seyesnarrowedtoslits.Thistime,Rhonincouldnotkeepfrombeingthrowntothe

ground.

“Apowerful,valiantattempt…butonlyanattempt.”ShepointedatthemeltedBane…andit

formedagain.“Thesecretofitismine,asaresomanyothersecrets.”

Theraptorleaderhadbythistimemanagedtoreachitsfeet.Withahiss,itleaptwithclawsbared

andmawwideopenatSinestra.

Withacontemptuousglance,theblackladypointedattheraptor.
Thegroundroseupbeneaththeleapingreptile,catchingit.Moltenearthengulfedtheraptorleader.

Thereptile’sscaledhideblisteredhorribly,thenburnedaway,quicklyfollowedbythemusclesand
sinewbeneath.Theraptorhadnotimetoshriek.Bythetimethecreaturecollapsedonthechamber
floor,itdidsoasaloosepileofstill-smoldering,scorchedbones.

“Therighttemperament,”Sinestraclinicallycommented.“Butlackinginsomuchelse.”She

returnedherattentiontoRhoninandIridi.

Butthepriestesswasnolongerthere.
Forthefirsttime,Sinestrashowedsomepuzzlement.HerireimmediatelyfocusedonRhonin,who

wasstrugglingtorise.

“Whereisthedraenei?Whereisshe?”
Thewizardmanagedagrin.“Idon’tknow….”

Zendarinfellback,gasping.Hewasfinishedatlast,finishedwiththefinalsteptowardhisnever

havingtohungeragain.Ithadcosthimmuchofthestaff’spower,butforthathewouldhavethatwhich
wouldgainhimmorethanhecoulddesireinahundredlifetimes.

Heleanedoverthepit.“Youunderstandme,don’tyou?”
“Yes…”cametherumblingvoice.
Thebloodelfsmiled.“Itistime.”
“Yes…”AdarkformbegantorisetowardZendarin.“Itistime…”
“Youwillobeymywillinallthings,”thebloodelfwenton.“Youwill—”
Amonstroussoundarosefromthepit.Itwasnotasimpleroar,ashaderuptedmorethanonce

duringZendarin’sefforts,butratherlaughter…laughterthatremindedhimtoomuchofthedarklady’s.

“Idonotobeyyou….”Dargonaxrepliedwithmockeryalsoakintohers.“Youarelittlemorethan

thedirtbeneathmyfeet….”

Thebloodelfcouldnotbelievehisears.Enraged,heshouted,“You’venochoicebuttoobeyme!I

havemadeabsolutecertaintyofthat—”

Themurkyshapestretchedabovethepit,expanding,growing,untilitfilledallofZendarin’sview.

Theheadofahuge,amethystdragoncoalesced.

“Youhavemadecertainofnothing,butthatyouareafool….”Dargonaxdeclared.
Zendarinthrewhiswillintothestolenstaff,hopingithadenoughpowerleft.
Jawsopen,Dargonaxlunged.
Thebloodelfvanished.
Thegargantuandragonimmediatelyhaltedhislunge.Hedidnotlookangeredordisappointed,but

instead,amused.

Dargonaxsuddenlylookedupattheceiling.Hislong,pointedearstwitchedasifhelistened.
“Yes…Icome,mymother…Icome…”
Andoncemore,thebehemothlaughed.

Hisarmwasbroken—hethankedthesmallfavorthatitwastheoneminusahand—andhehad

somehowgottenfarmorelostthananydwarfevershouldhaveundergroundinanycavern.Romcould
swearthatthetunnelsshiftedoftheirownwhimandalwaystokeephimfromtheonesleadingbackup.
Hewantedtogobackupbecause,inonepassage,hehadheardthecriesofsomeofhispeople.They
weredying,Rombelieved,andallhecoulddowaskeepwalkingincircles.

Buthehadtokeeptrying.
Hestumbledintoanotherpassagethatlookedexactlylikethepassagebeforeandtheonebefore

thatandsoonandsoon.Theveteranfightersworeunderhisbreath,evenhismountingfrustrationnot
enoughtomakehimalertanypossiblefoestohisnearbypresence.

Wasthatamistake,though?Perhapsifheshoutedhisheadoff,hewouldfinallygetsomeaction.
Romsnorted.Hewouldalsoendupperishingwithoutdoinghiscomradesanybitofgood.
Whentheotherdwarveshadbeenattacked,Romhadnotabandonedthem,astheylikelythought.

Rather,hehadbeentwicestruckhard,thefirstenoughtoshattertheboneinhisarmandthesecond
knockingoffhishelmetandbatteringhishead.Hehadthenstumbled,dazed,intooneofthecrevices
thathadopenedup.There,Romhadlainasoneofthedeadforhours.

Bysheerluck,theotherendofthatcrevicehadproventohaveanopeningintothemount.Upon

awakening,hehadtakennojoyindiscoveringthathislong-desireddreamtoinfiltrateGrimBatolhad
cometopass.Inhiseyes,hehadfailedtheothers.RomcouldonlypraythatGrenda—capableand
probablymorelevel-headedthanhe—wouldkeeptherestalive,withorwithouthim.AsforRom,he
hadretrievedhishelmet—whichhadfalleninwithhim—andsimplymarchedofftoseewherefate
wouldleadhim.

Butnowhecursedfateforkeepinghimfromhiscomrades.
Agruntingsoundmadehimstill.Romprayedthattheechoesofthetunnelswerenotturninghim

aroundagain.Iftheywerenot,thenthesourceofthatgruntwasonlyafewshortyardsaway.

Hepickeduphispace…andimmediatelyback-pedaledasthevoicesofseveralskardynheading

hiswaywarnedhimthathewasabouttorunintofarmorethanthatforwhichhehadbargained.Rom
rushedbacktothenearestsidepassageandthrewhimselfinjustasheheardthefoulcreaturesenterthe
onehehadabandoned.

Theskardyncamerushingpast,thescalyfiendscrawlingalongthefloor,thewalls,theceiling.

Rompressedhimselfagainsttherock,certainthatheshouldhaveheadeddeeperintohisowntunnelbut
awarethatanymovementnowwouldonlyattracttheirattention.

Askardynpausedneartheopening,smellingtheair.Itleanedin,seekinganythinginthedarkness

—

Ablackfistseizedthesuddenly-squealingskardynandthrewitinthedirectiontherestwere

heading.Thedrakonidcrackedhiswhipashedrovethereston.

ThedwarfrecognizedRask.
“Move…”theblackbeasthissed.“Theladycommands….”
Raskandtheskardynmovedon.Romhesitatedjustlongenoughtoensurethattheywouldnotbe

abletoseehim,thenfollowedafter.

Atlast,hethought,hewasgettingsomewhere.Butexactlywhere,hewouldhavetowaittofind

out.

And,bythen,Romsuspecteditwouldbetoolatetoturnback.

TWENTY-ONE

ridihadnotabandonedhercompanions,atleast,notaccordingtoRhonin’sback-upplan.Thedraenei

feltotherwise,though,andprayedthatshewouldsoonbeabletoreturntohelpthewizardandthe
others.

And,byhelpingthem,shehadtoeitherfinishfreeingZzeraku—whomsheespeciallyfeltashamed

ofleavingbehind—or,miracleofmiracles,findKrasusandKalec.

Iftheystilllived.
Thetroublewas,thepriestesshadnotimetodoanyofwhatshedesired.Shecouldsense

Sinestra’smonstrouscreationconvergingevennowonthecavernand,throughthestaff,thatitwas
morepowerfulthanever.Indeed,someofthatpowercamefromamostdisturbingforce…theenergies
oftheotherstaff.Iridiwonderedifthemurderousthiefrealizedjustwhathehaddone.

Asforthedraenei,ithadnotbeenbyherownstaff’spowerthatshehadvanished,butrathera

one-timespellthatRhoninhadgiventoherjustforthisemergency.Allshehadhadtodowasthinkof
theneedtoescapeandthenstareinthedirectionshewanted.Rhoninhadpurposelycreatedthespellso
thatsheandonlyshewouldknowherdestination.

However,shehadnotgonewhereshehadexpected.Whilethewizardhimselfcouldtakeherfrom

onepointtoanother,thespellhehadgivenherhadforsomereasonnotbeenasefficient.NowIridi
stoodinthemidstofsometunnelsomewherewithinGrimBatolwithnonotionastoherlocationor
howshemightmanagetohelpanyone.

Then,anoisethatshebynostretchoftheimaginationwouldhavedesiredtohearfilledthetunnel.

Bynow,sherecognizedthesavagegrowlsandhissesoftheskardynand,ifsheestimatedcorrectly,
thereweremorethanascoreheadingherway.

Andbarelyhadthepriestessthoughtthatthantheskardynpouredtowardherfromasidepassage.

Theyclearlyhadnotbeenhuntingforher,but,themomentthatherpresencebecameclear,the
monstrousdwarvesletouthissesandhowlsofanticipation.Theyracedtowardher,teethbared.

Iriditurnedthestaff,usingthelowerendtocatchthefirstskardyninthethroat.Asthatonefell,a

secondseizedthestaffbythelonghandleandclungtoit.Theweightforcedthedraenei’sarmdown.

Anotherskardynleapedatherasshewaspulleddown.Thepriestessstretchedoutherfoot,letting

thecreature’sownmomentumbetheforcethatknockeditoutwhenitsheadstruck.Iridithenswungthe
staffaround,usingtheskardynclingingtoitasaweightagainstitscomrades.Shebowledoverthree,
thenletgoofthenaarugift.

Itvanished,sendingtheskardynwhohadheldontoitrollingdownthecorridor.However,the

scalydwarfdidnotgofar,foralmostimmediatelyitcollidedwithanimmense,blackform.

“Draenei…”herasped.“Keepheralive…barely…”
Theremainingskardynclosedonher.Iridiraisedherhandtosummonthestaff—

Withstartlingreflexes,thedrakonidlashedherwrist.Iridi’shandjerkedandthestaff,just

materializing,fadedtosomuchmist.

Raskpulledandthedraeneifellforward.Asshedid,shemanagedtosummonagainthestaff,but

bythentheskardynwerealmostuponher.

Then,abattlecryfilledthepassage.Frombehindthedrakonidlungedasingledwarvenwarrior

whoappearedtohaveonlyonegoodarm…andonehandatthat.

Iridicouldnotbelievehereyes.“Rom?”
Thedwarvencommanderswunghardatthedrakonid,whoduckedatthelastmoment.Theflatof

theaxheadcaughtRaskonthesideoftheskullandwhilefrommostwarriorsthatblowwouldnothave
beenenoughtoevenbotherthedrakonid,fromthepowerfuldwarfitmanagedtostunhismuchlarger
foe.

ButRomdidnotfollowup,instead,racingtowardthedraenei.Iridi,meanwhile,hadtaken

advantageofthedwarf’sappearancetoregainherfooting.Shekickedatonestartledskardyn,then
trippedanotherwiththestaff.

However,inthelow,narrowtunnel,thenaarugiftprovedasmuchimpedimentashelp.Itwastoo

longtoproperlymaneuverwithsomanyskardynaround.Iridifinallydismissedit,insteadrelyingon
thebattleartstaughtbyherordertoallitsmembers.

Themomentumofaskardynenabledhertosendthecreatureintooneofitscomrades.The

priestessleapedoveranotherfoe,thenkickedbackwithonelegasshelanded,sendingtheskardyninto
awall.

Rom,meanwhile,simplycuthiswaythroughthebestialfigureslikeafarmerscythinggrain.Three

skardynfellbeforehereachedIridi,withtwomoreproppedagainstthewalls,clutchingtheirwounds.

“Thatway!”hegrowled,indicatingtheoppositedirectionfromwhichhehadmaterialized.
“Wheredoesitgo?”
“Somewhere!’TisallIknoworcare!Goingback’snotanoption,mylady!”
Hespoketruly.Raskhadrecoveredandtheblackdrakonidevennowshovedhiswaypastskardyn,

thewhiponcemoreready.Forthefirsttime,Iridialsopaidattentiontotheheavyaxtheseniorguard
hadstrappedtohisback.Raskcouldnotuseitwellenoughinthistunnel,whichwaswhyheneededthe
whip.However,shedidnotthinkitwiseforherorRomtobenearwhentheaxwouldprovemorean
option.Thedrakonidlookedcapableofchoppingeitheradversaryinhalfwithbutasingleswing.

Rompushedheraheadofhim,althoughwhetherthatwasasaferpositionwasdebatable.Iridisaid

nothing,morethanwillingtodefendthemfromanywhoattackedfromthefront.

“Gods!”thedwarfburstout.“WishIhadmyhandback!I’mitchin’allover!Figuresthose

damnedthingswouldhavefleas!”

Butfleasweretheleastoftheirconcerns,foralthoughtheyhadleftmanyskardynbehind,more

thanenoughpursued,Raskeitherurgingthemonor,iftheyweretooslow,tossingthemoutofhispath.

Asphericalmissileshotpassedherhead.Glancingback,Iridisawthatsomeoftheskardynwere

armedwiththesinistercrossbowdevicesshehadseeninthegreatcavern.Nowandthentheywould
pausetofire,thencontinuetheirchase.

Thetwostillhadnoideawheretheyheaded,buttheyranthereasfastastheycould.However,the

waywasnotentirelyclear,asskardyndroppedoutofholesintheceilingorpoppedoutofthoseinthe
ground.Wordhadevidentlybeenpassedonahead,althoughIridicouldmakenosenseofthesnapping
andgrowlingthecreaturesmade.

Behindher,Romletoutagruntasaskardynleapingoutofasidepassagesnaggedhisleg.A

secondjoinedit,thetwoquicklydraggingthedwarfback.

Thedraeneisummonedthestaff,thrustingthecrystalintotheferalfaces.SoneartoRom,she

darednotusethestaff’spowertoitsfullest,butasuddenblazeoflightcalledupbyherwasenoughto

makebothskardynsqueal,thenreleasetheirholdsandslipbackintothecomfortingdark.Evenmoreso
thandwarves,themutatedcreaturesweresensitivetobrightness.

AsshehelpedRomtohisfeet,ahulkingformloomedoverboth.
Grinning,Raskpulledbackthewhip.
Iridithrustthestaffup.Raskeasilyavoideditbyleaningback.
Butthedrakonidwasnothertarget.Rather,itwastheceilingabovehim.Thestaffbrokeloose

someoftherock…causingmoretocollapse.

Releasingthestaff,IridigrabbedRomandpulledhimforward.Raskmadeabelatedsnatchatthe

dwarf’sboots,butmissed.

ThedraeneiandthedwarfranasthepassagecavedinwhereIridihadstruck.
“Youknow,yecould’vebroughtthewholedamnedthingdownonus!”Romcommented,his

mannerofspeechslippingtoolderhabitsunderpressure.

“IperceivedafaultthatIthoughtwouldworkforusjustasitdid,”thepriestessexplained.“I

followedthesameprinciplesmyteacherusedwhenshowingnoviceslikemyselfhowtodefendagainst
physicalattack.”

“Well,anydwarfwho’slivedintunnelsmosto’hislifewilltellyethatfaultyouhitcould’vejust

aseasilyburiedusratherthanblockthedrakonid’sway.”

Shedidnotrespond,suspectingthathedidindeedknowbetterthanshe.Still,thefateshadbeen

kindtoher,atleastforthatmoment.Howlongthatmightremainthecase,though,Iridicouldnotsay.

Theycametoanintersection,wheretheypausedtochooseapath.NeithershenorRomcouldhere

tellwhichmightbethebetterchoice.

Thedwarfglancedbehindthem.“Theskardyn’llstillbediggingtheirwaythrough…unlessthey

knowabetterwaytoreachus.”Heeyedthedraenei.“IknowIwaslost,butwhatwereyoudoin’here,
mylady?”

Iridiquicklytoldhimhertale,finishingwithRhonin’sspellthathadenabledhertovanishinthe

faceofSinestra’swrath.

“So,thewizard’shere,eh?I’dsaygood,butwhatyou’vetoldmemakesmewonderifanythin’has

achanceagainstthatbitchandherdamnedcreation!”

“IbelieveZzerakucanhelpus…andwillbewillingto.”
“Zzeraku—thatwhatyoucallthatthingtheygottiedup?”Hegaveherawide-eyedstare.“You

reallythinkfreein’thatthing’sagoodidea?”

“Yes.Rhoninalsobelievesthatweneedtofreehim.Thatwaswhyhewantedmetobeabletoflee

evenwithouthim.Zzerakuiskey….”

Thedwarvencommanderrubbedhisbeardedchin.“Lettin’looseanotherterrorinhopesit’llstop

theother!Imustbemadtobelieveyouknowwhatyou’redoin’….”Heconsideredthetwotunnels.
“Pickone.”

Frowning,thedraeneihesitated,thenindicatedtheonetotheirright.
“Myluck’sbeenbadforthepasthoursandsinceI’dhavechosentheleft,Ithinkwegoyourway.”
“Assimpleasthat?Wetakeaguess?”
Romsnorted.“You’reapriestessofsomeorder.Ibetyourteachingshavesomethingtosayabout

luckorguesses….”

Shenodded.“Onemakestheirownluck,goodorill…andtherearenoguesses,merelyfaulty

concentration.”

“Yeah,thatsoundslikesomethingapriestwouldsay.”And,withthat,Romstarteddownher

choice.

Withonequicklookoverhershoulder,thedraeneifollowed.

HisroaragainshookGrimBatol.Heedlessofthepresenceoftheirmistress’senemies,theskardyn

inthegreatchamberscatteredforthenearestholes.Thedragonspawnandtheonedrakonidremained,
buteventheblackbehemothslookedasiftheywishedtheywereelsewhere.

Thereptileshis“mother”hadcalledraptorscowered,fearsounknowntothemthattheysuffered

thegreaterforitnow.Eventheskardyn’scousins,thedwarves,pressedthemselvesagainstthewallsas
ifhopingnottobeseen.

Dargonaxlaughed.Creatingfearinotherswasasensationhefoundheenjoyed.
Therewereonlythreewhodidnotcower.Dargonaxhadneverseenthenetherdragonbefore,

althoughhehadtastedmuchofthecaptive’sessence.Thenetherdragoncouldnotmove,butrage
clearlyruledhim.Dargonaxadmiredthataspectoftheotherdragon,ifnothingelse.Hewasfar,far
morethanthispitifulprisoner,far,farmorethananything…exceptthosethathis“mother”had
promisedwouldcomenext.

She,ofcourse,wasthesecondofthethree.Stillinhermortalguise,shesmiledwithprideatwhat

shehadwrought.Dargonaxspreadhisvast,leatherywingsasbestasthechamberallowed,theneedle-
sharppointsateachendscrapingtheveryrock.Hisamethystformcouldhavefilleditcompletelyhad
hestretchedhimselftohisfullest.Hewastwo,perhapsthreetimesthesizeofthenetherdragon.The
edgesofhisbodyhadamistyglowtothem,asiftheywerenotofsubstance,butshadow.

“Thisismychild,”Sinestrainformedthosewhocouldstilllisten,butoneinparticular.“Ishenot

magnificent?”

Butthethirdofthosewhodaredbewithoutfearcurtlyreplied,“He’sadamnedobscenity….”
Dargonaxthrusthismassiveheadattheinsulter.Ahundredteetheachthelengthofaswordfilled

amouthcapableofswallowingadozenraptorsinasinglegulp.Atthefrontofthemouth,monstrous
fangstwiceaslongastheotherteethgavethetwilightdragonanevenmorenightmarish“smile.”Atop
hishead,curledhornsthatthrustback,viedwithwickedbarbsandspikesthatdescendeddowntheskull
andneckandthenseemedtoexplodeinincrediblenumberallovertherestofDargonax’shumongous
form.Eachtimethetwilightdragonbreathed,healsoseemedtoswellalittlemore.Hispupillessorbs,
largerthanagiant’sshield,reflectedthepunyrobedfigureabouttodie.

“No,myDargonax!”commandedSinestra,hertoneshowingnoconcernforthebehemoth’s

victim.“Not…yet…”

Hedrewback.Hisbodypulsated,shimmered.Helookedattheblackdragon.“But,Mother…you

donotcommandme,anymore….”

Thegargantuanbeaststartedtolungeagain—andsuddenlypainwrackedhisbody.Hetwistedand

turned,butcouldnotescapeit.Itfeltasifhisbodywereabouttoripintoamilliontinypieces….

“NowdidInotwarnyouaboutbehaving?”Deathwing’sconsortpurred.“Didyouthinkthatyou

hadoutgrownmycontrol?Youknowthatyoucanneverescapewhatiswithinyou….”

Hecouldnotanswer,theagonytoomuchforhimtodoanythingbutscream.He,themost

monstrousofbeasts,felluponthechamberfloor,writhing.

AndawatchingRhonin,whoknewthepowerswieldedbyoneoftheEarth-Warder’sflight,

wonderedjustwhatspellshehadcast,foritwasnotnormal.Indeed,knowingtherehadbeenafamiliar
foulnessaboutit,onethathehadnotfeltsince…sincehehaddestroyedtheDemonSoulduringthefall
oftheorcshere.

Thewizard’seyeswidened.SincetheDemonSoul…

Asforthebehemoth,hefinallyrecoveredenoughtogazeathiscreatorandtormentor.“You

trickedme!Youtrickedme!”hemanaged.“ButIamstronger!Stronger!IamDargonax!Iam—”

Hescreamedoncemore,thenstilled.Hisbodycontinuedtoshimmer…itsglowatonepoint

almostperfectlymatchingthatoftheinsidiouscreationofDeathwing.

“YouarewhatIsayyouare….”Sinestrasaidwithamadsmile.“Mylovingchild…”

VereesaranbackintothechamberwhereKrasushung.“Didyouhearthat?”
“Yes,ithasbegun.Shehasunleasheddoomuponallofus.”
“Greatone—Krasus—isthereanythingIcandoforyou?”
Thedragonmagemanagedtofocusonher.Sheknewthetruth,thathecouldsee.Therewasno

sensetellingherotherwise.“No…itisuptoyouandKalec….”

Atthatmoment,theybothheardagroanfromtheotherchamber.ThehighelflookedfromKrasus

tothesoundandthenbackagain.Sheappearedcaughtbetweenconflictingdesires.

“Goto—gotohim—”Theeffortwastoomuch.Thered’sworldswam.Vereesabecameablur.
“Iwillreturnshortly!”shecalledtohim.“Iswear!”
Butasshedeparted,Krasusbegananaccountingofhisownlife.Hedidnothavelongandhe

wantedtoknowifhehadactuallydonemuchofworthtoAzerothorifhehadmerelybeenpursuinga
vanityofhisown.Wouldthosewhorecalledhimafterhewasgonethinkofhimwithgoodthoughts…
orcursehismemory?

Yet,barelyhadhestartedwhenalightfilledhiseyes.Abrilliant,soothinglightthattookawayall

ofhisagony.

So…thereisnomoretime…Iamalreadydying.
Avoicecalledtohim,then.Therewasadistinctfamiliaritytoitand,sinceitwasfemale,hechose

ittobetheonethatmeantthemosttohim.

“Alex-Alexstrasza?”
Afigureformedinthelight.

Vereesarushedinamongtheeggsandmoltenpits,fearfulthattheblue’sweaknesshadturnedhis

conditionfortheworse.However,uponseeingKalec,therangerstoppedshort.

Abrightilluminationsurroundedtheyoungerdragon,butitdifferedfromthatofthechamberorof

theDemonSoulnearKrasus.IthadapleasantwarmththatevenVereesacouldfeel,awarmththat
remindedheroftherisingsun.

Kalecmurmuredsomething.Onehandreachedupasiftocaressaninvisiblefigureleaningover

him.

Atthesametime,therangerheardavoicefromwhereKrasushung…afemininevoice.
ThinkingthatSinestrahadreturned,Vereesadidnothesitatetorushbacktothereddragon’said.

Sheknewverywelltheoddswereagainsther,butdidnotcare.

Butwhensheentered,therewasnosignofDeathwing’sinsidiousconsort.Indeed,therewasat

firstnosignofthedragonmage,either.Thestalactitehungperfectlyclean,notevenatraceofKrasus’s
lifefluidsclingingtoitorpoolingonthefloor.

Confused,sheturnedaroundinsearchofhim—
Apowerfulfistcaughtherinthechin.Vereesaspunabout,thenfell.

“Well,whatadelighttoseeyou,mydearcousin,”Zendaringrowled.“Thatmakestwoobjectives

stilldealtwithbeforeIdepartthismadhouse….”

Stunned,Vereesarolledontoherback.“Where—whathaveyoudonewithhim?”
Thebloodelfglancedcontemptuouslyather.“Ifyou’rereferringtothatmongrelcreatureyoucall

amate,I’vedonenothingwithhim,althoughsincehe’scometoyour‘rescue,’Iimaginehe’llsoonend
upinthegulletofherbeast!”Heswungthestaffather,thecrystalpointjustbarelygrazingtheranger’s
thigh.Vereesaletoutahowlandrolledfartherawayasifblowntherebyafiercewind.“I’lldealwith
youinamoment,cousin.I’vesomethingfarmoreimportantthanyouawaitingmerighthere.”

ZendarinturnedonthereconstitutedDemonSoul.Withthestaff,hebegandrawingacircleoflight

aroundthedreadartifact.

Hemeanttostealit,Vereesasaw.Stealitfromhisownally.Therangerwastemptedtolethimdo

itwithoutanytrouble,forsurelyitwouldweakenSinestra’sefforts,butshehadnoideawhathad
happenedtoKrasusorwhethershemight,intheend,needtheSoultofindorcurehim…assumingthat
hewasevenalive.Moretothepoint,surelynothinggoodcouldcomeofhercousinwieldingthe
artifact.

Ifonlytherewassomewaytodestroyit!ButVereesabelievedDeathwing’sconsortwhenshesaid

thatnothingbornofAzerothcouldnowaffecttheevilobject.

Hergazenarrowed.ButthesamecouldnotbesaidforZendarinhimself…
Shegrippedthetinyblade,waitingforthemoment.AsZendarinfinishedhiscircle—andtheglow

oftheDemonSoulgrewmuted—thehighelfthrew.

Butsomethingmadehercousinturnatthelastmoment.Hebroughtthestaffbetweenhimandthe

soaringblade.Vereesa’smissiledeflectedoffthestaff.

Zendarinhissedasthebladeleftadrippingcreasealonghisleftcheek.Heaimedthestaffathis

cousin—

Therangerwasalreadyonthemove.Thebloodelf’sstrikeonlydecimatedrockanddirt.Hespun

aroundtofaceherjustasVereesaleaptathim.

Zendarinhadallthelithegraceofanyoftheirkind,buthewasnopracticedrangerand,despite

herrecentshifttomotherhood,Vereesawasstillmorethanfitenoughtobeoneofthebestofher
calling.Shefelluponhercousinandthetwostruggled,thestafftheonlythingbetweenthem.

TheycrashedagainstthebaseoftheDemonSoul’srestingplace.Onesidecavedin,showering

themamomentlaterwithlimestoneandmore.However,theartifactitself—stillsurroundedbythe
energyofthestaff—remainedexactlywhereitwaseventhoughitnolongerrestedonanything.

Withaglare,Zendarintriedtosendherhurtlingaway.However,Vereesagrippedthestafftight,

theresultsbeingthatbothwerespunaroundandaroundandaround.

Again,theyfellintoeachother,thistimewiththebloodelfatop.
“You’reweak!”hegrowledinherear.“Afadingmemoryofafadingpeople!Thehighelvesare

gone….Thebloodelvesareascendant!”

“Donotdignifyyourselfbythinkingthatyouareevenworthyofbeingcalledabloodelf,much

lesstheraceyouforsakeforthatfoulrole!”Vereesaretorted.“Ihavefacedothersbeforeyouandthey
hadmoreworth,morehonor,thanyou!Youareathief,amurderer,andaparasite!Nothingmore!All
elvenlineswouldrejectyou,justasIrejectanybloodtiebetweenus!”

“Howterribleforme!Spurnedbymydearcousinwhosleepswithanimals…”
Sheshovedthembothtotheirfeet.“YouarenotfittowalkinRhonin’sfootsteps….”Theranger

spitinhisface.Atthatmoment,adesperatenotioncametoher,onesowildlyimprobableandyetthe
onlyhopethatVereesahad.“Andwithoutthatstolenstaff,youarenothingtoanyone!”

Hegrinned.“Aah,butIdohavethestaff…anditcandomanythingsforme,evenwhileyoucling

toit…”

Thelargecrystalturnedasbrightasthesun.
Vereesathrewherweightintothrustingthestafftoherright.Atthesametime,shesaidasilent

farewelltoRhoninandhersons.

ThecrystalstrucktheDemonSouljustasZendarinunleashedtheformer’senergies.
Someonegrabbedtherangerfrombehind,tearingherfromhercousin.
ZendarinWindrunnershriekedasboththeheadofthestaffandtheDemonSoulshattered.Hewas

envelopedbyenergiesfromboth,energiesthattorehiminoppositedirectionsevenasshardsfromthe
DemonSoulwentflyingthroughoutthechamberandtheruinedstaffburnttoash.Zendarin,hisface
spreadingwiderandwider,reachedforhiscousinasifseekingherhelp.

ThestaffanditspowerwereofOutland,notAzeroth.Therangerhadprayedthatitsunusual

energieswoulddowhatSinestrahadpreventedherownworld’smagicfromaccomplishing—destroy
theDemonSoulonceandforever,evenifitcostthehighelfherlife.

“Youhaveallthemagicyoucouldeverhungerfor,”Vereesamurmuredunsympathetically.Her

ownlifemeantnothingnowthatshehadmadecertainofhercousin’sdemise.Thechildren,atleast,
wouldbesafe.“Whydoyounotsavorit,Zendarin?”

Thebloodelfceasedshriekingashisbodytoreintwo,thehalvesquicklydissipatinginthe

spiralingenergies.Astheunleashedmagicmoreandmorefilledthechamber,therangersuddenly
recalledhermysteriousrescuer.

“Wemustkeepmoving!”Kalecshoutedinherear.“Hurry!There’snotmuchtime!”
HelookedandsoundedfarhealthierthanwhenVereesahadseenhimlast,butsheknewthatcould

notbeduetotheDemonSoulbeingreshattered.Noteventhebluedragoncouldhaverecoveredinthe
spaceofasinglesecond,muchlesshavealsoseizedherbeforetheenergiescoulddowithherasthey
hadhercousin.Still,VereesawasgladtoseeKalecandgratefulforhisquickaction.

Hedraggedhertowardtheotherchamber,buttheintenseenergiesbegantopullthemback.Kalec

castashieldaroundthem,yetthatbarelyslowedtheirbackwardmovement.

“It’stoomuchforme!”theblueshouted.
“Whatcanwedo?”
“Youdonothing!”shoutedanothervoice.
Krasus’svoice.
Andinthenextbreath,theunleashedmagicsuddenlycondensed,thenroseupthroughthevery

rock,vanishing.Asitdid,boththehighelfandKalecfellforward.

Astillnesssettledoverthechamber,astillnessbrokenbyglovedhandsraisingupbothofthemby

thearm.

Thedragonmagesmiledgrimlyatthepair…andthemiracleofKalec’srecoverywasminute

comparedtothatofthereddragon.Krasuswaswhole,utterlywhole,althoughhedidnotseemso
pleasedbythat.

“Praisebe!”Vereesahuggedhim.“Buthow?Wheredidyougetthepowertodoallthis,especially

bindsuchawound—”

“Iamnotresponsible.”
“Then,itwasKalec,afterall!”
“I’vedonenothingforhim,”thebluepipedup.“Idon’tevenrememberhimhavinganywound.It

wasabadone,Itakeit?”

“Sinestradroveastalactitethroughhischestandlefthimdyingupontheceiling!”
Krasusgrimacedatthisrecollection.“Itwasverynearlymytime.”
Kalecshookhisheadinwonder.“I’dthinkthatI’drecalldoinganythinglikethat,ifIevencould

doit.Itwasnomiracleonmyaccountthathe’salive—”

“Ah,butthereyouarewrong,youngone.”AsbothlookedatKrasusinpuzzlement,thedragon

magesolemnlyexplained,“EventhoughyouhavefeltthelossofAnveena,youhavealsoalwaysfelt
thatshewasinyourheart,yoursoul,haveyounot?”

“Ihave.Whatofit?”
“Ishalltellyouaswemove!Thereismuchatstake!”Asheledthemtowardanotherpassage,

Krasussaid,“Sheleftyouasmalltokenofherownlove,Kalec.Atinypartofherthatdidnotreturnto
beingtheSunwell.Itwaswhatkeptyoualivewhen,underSinestra’sinfluence,yousoughttoslayme.”

“GreatKorialstrasz…Inevertrulymeant—”
“Thereisjustificationtoyouranger,butyourviolencewasnotbyyourchoice.Iknowthat.

Sinestrawasallatfault.Theincidentisforgotten.AsIwassaying,whatAnveenaleftinyouhelped
preserve,thensaveyou.Thatsaysmuch.”

“Anveena…”Despitetheirsituation,thebluesmiled.Hisgazelookedtotheunseenheavens.
“And,becauseIwasnear…andbecauseshesoughtmetohelpprotectyouafterward…thatsame

essencealsohealedme.Ittookallofitspowertosaveusbothanditshallneverbeabletodomorenow
thanremindyouofherlove.Isenseditearlieron,butneverknewit—she—wascapableofthismuch.”

Kalecgrabbedhiswrist.“Youtalkedwithher—”
“Shespoketome.Ihavetoldyouallshesaidduringherbriefmaterialization…andwhenIsay

her,Imeanthatwhichshelefttoprotectyou.”

“Anveena…I’mgladshewasabletobringyoubackfromsonearthebrink.IfI’dhadachoice,I’d

havehadhertakecareofyoubeforeme.”

Thedragonmageguidedthemintoadarkenedcorridor.“Andthatiswhyshehadthepowertodo

thatmuch,Ibelieve.”Hegrunted.“Butasungratefulasitsounds,Iwouldwishthatshehadmoreto
giveusyet,forwewillsorelyneedit.”

“Butwhy?”askedVereesa.“Withbothmyunlamentedcousin’sstolenstaffandtheDemonSoul

nomore,thissurelyputstoanendSinestra’smaddreams!”

“TherearevariationsuponvariationstothatmaddreamasDeathwing’sfoulfamilyhasshown

timeandagain…andoneofthoseisthereasonwemusthurry!Haveyounotthoughtofwhathappened
toallthatwasreleasedbythedestructionofbothcreations?Kalec,haveyou?”

Thebluehesitatedinmid-step.“Doyoumean—”
“Yes—”Atthatmoment,therewasarumblefromabove.ItshookthepassagesomuchthatKalec

hadtoquicklyshieldthembeforetheywouldbeburiedunderasmallcollapse.Krasuswastednotime
ongratitude,insteadremarking,“Ithasreachedwhathasbeenwaitingforit.Wearetoolateagain.”

“Butwherediditgo?”Vereesademanded.“Wherediditgo?”
Yet,itwasnotthedragonmagewhoansweredthat,butrather,Kalec.
“It’sgonetoDargonax…”hesaid.“Ithastohavegonetohim….”

TWENTY-TWO

honincouldnotbelievethesizeofthebehemoth.OtherthanKorialstraszandthegreatAspects,this

Dargonaxwasthehugestdragonthathehadeverseen.Ithad,intruth,beenallhecoulddotostand
beforeitwithhisexpressionunfazed.Indeed,onlyhisexperiencesfightingDeathwinghadmadehim
abletofacesuchamonster.

Krasus,Icouldsurelyuseyounow,thewizardthought.However,therewasnotellingwherethe

dragonmagewasandRhonincouldnotstandtherehopingthathismentorwouldsuddenlymaterialize
tosavetheday.Itappearedthefateofeverythingwasinhishands.

Sobeit,then.Thecrimson-hairedspellcasterdidnotwait.Hestruck,butnotatDargonax.
Itwasperhapsaudacitythatenabledhisspelltohavesomeeffect.Afterall,Sinestranodoubt

expectedhimtoattackhercreation,nother.Thusitwasthatshewassuddenlyencircledbygreenbands
ofenergythatpinnedherarmstohersidesandherlegstogether.

ButRhonin’sreliefwasshort-lived,for,withalookofanger,theblackdismissedtherings.
“Youarecunningandpowerful…forahuman,”shedeclared.“AndifIthoughtyouintelligent

enoughtoseemattersastheywillbe,Iwouldletyoulivetoserveandworshipme.”

“Howgenerousofyou.”
“Yourimpertinenceisnolongeramusing.Dargonax,youmayfeastuponhim.”
Thegargantuanfiendroared.ThehugeheadlungedatRhonin,whocastapowerfulforcespell.

Muchtohisdismay,though,themagicseemedinsteadtofeedthefoulcreature.

Thecube,damnit!hethoughtasthehorrificmawfilledhisview.Theblastedcubemustbedoing

this!

Hewasgoingtodie…andwithoutknowingifVereesawasatleastsafe.Someonehadtobethere

forthechildren—

AndthenaterribleblastofenergystruckDargonaxfullintheface.Theleviathanroared,butmore

fromfrustrationthanpain.Heglaredinthedirectionoftheattack’ssource.

Zzerakuwasfree.
No,notfree,notentirely,butenoughthathecouldattackutilizingsomeofhismagic…andthe

reasonforhimbeingabletodoanythingatalltooktheformofthedraeneiand,wonderofwonders,
Rhonin’soldcomrade,thedwarfRom.Thepairstoodneartherearoftheimprisoneddragon,where
Iridievennowsoughttodestroyoneoftheremainingcrystals.Romkeptguardbehindher,beatingoffa
pairofskardynwhosefearofSinestra’swrathhadapparentlybeengreaterthantheirfearofeither
behemoth.

Thepriestesslookedexhausted…andnowonder.Shecouldnothavebeenstandingthereformore

thanahandfulofseconds,yet,inthattime,shehadmanagedtodofarmorethanbefore.

Dargonaxshookofftheeffectsofthespell.TheDevourerleerednotatZzeraku,butratherIridi.

“Whathavewehere?Anothermorselofpower?”

ThedraeneicouldhavefledduringZzeraku’sattack,buthadremainedbehindtofinishhertask.

SheturnedatDargonax’svoiceandpreparedtomakeastandagainsthim,whichmadethebehemoth
laugh.Assheraisedthestaff,heexhaledather.

Aringoffoulredenergystruckher,sendingthedraeneihurtlingback.Shecrashedagainstthe

rocksnearthelastofthebondsandlaystill.

AndfromZzerakutherecameanangryroarthatcausedevenDargonaxtopause.

Hissaviorhadbeenattacked.Theonecreaturewhohadbelievedhimtobesomethingworth

savinglayasifdead.

Zzerakushriekedhisfury.Thistiny,insignificantcreaturehadshownmorevaluethanheeverhad.

Shehadstoodwherehelikelywouldhavefled.Shamefilledthenetherdragon.

Hestrainedtobefree,tobeabletothrowhisfullmightatDargonax…andthistimetheremaining

strandscouldnotdenyhim.

Withgreatgleehefeltthemshatter.Freedomwashisatlast,butZzerakudidnotwaverinhis

choice.Hewasnotafraidofthelargerdragon,whosesizeandrelativesolidityinthenether’smindonly
madehimthatmuchmoreeasyatarget.Indeed,heflewwitheagernesstoconfronthisfoe.

“Foulvermin!”heroaredatDargonax.“Youaregoodatharmingthelittleones,asIonceblindly

did,butZzerakuisnotlittle!ZzerakuwillteachyouthattheyareworthfarmorethanyouorI!Far
more!”

Howeverweakhehadlookedprevious,Zzerakuwasnowamightyfury.Lightningcrackledall

aroundDargonax,sendingthetwilightdragonintoastartledretreat.Thewallsshookas,inhissurprise,
Sinestra’smassivecreationcollidedwiththem…andanetherdragonlearnedwhatitmeanttofightfor
others,nothimself.

ButifDargonaxwasoccupied,thatstillleftSinestra.Furiousatwhatshebeheld,sheroared.Her

mouthdistorted,becomingmorereptilian.Oneclawedhandthrustoutatthedraenei—

RhoninputallhiswillintoashieldbetweenIridiandtheoncomingspell.Whentheblackdragon’s

powerstruck,itjoltedthewizardasifhewerethetarget.Rhonincriedout,butheldhisgroundevenas
Sinestrafedmoreandmoreintoherassault.

Atthatmoment,thepriestessstirred.Shemanagedtopushherselfup….
ButasIridirose,Rhoninnoticedanewdangertoher.Adrakonidhadslippedoutofoneofthe

tunnelsandinonehandheheldasmallweaponlikeacrossbow.

Aweaponaimedatthepriestess’sback.
Rhoninwouldhavewarnedher,butthenamonstrousblackpawcameoutofnowheretosmashthe

distractedwizardagainstawall.Araptorleapttohisdefense,onlytobecrushedinthejawsofagreat,
ebonydragon…anebonydragonwithonesideofitsfacecoveredingrotesqueburnscars.

ThetrueSinestraspatoutthereptile’sremains,thenleeredatRhonin.“Muchtoosinewy…Iprefer

atidbitalittlemoresoft…likeyou…”

ShebenttoswallowRhonin—thensuddenlylookedaway.Theblackdragonletoutamadsnarl…

anddisappeared.

Krasuspaused.
“Whatisit?”Vereesaasked.
“Kalec,youandshegoonahead!”
Theyoungerdragonfrowned.“Ifyou—”
“DoasIsay!”
Kalecshuthismouth.Afteramoment,henodded.ToVereesa,thebluesaid,“We’dbetterlisten.”
TherangerlookedtoKrasus.“You’reheadingbackthewaywecame…why?”
Inreply,thedragonmagegrittedhisteeth…andvanished.
ThehighelfspunaroundtofaceKalec.“Iknowhowmuchthatcosthimtodo!Neitherofyouare

strongenoughtoreallytransportyourselvesyet!NotinGrimBatol!Whyisheheadingback—”

“Becausehemust…justaswemusthurryon!”Kaleceyedherclose.“AlltheevilofGrimBatol

hascometoaboil….”

Becauseshecoulddonothingelse—andbecauseshefearedsomehowthatRhoninwashereandin

themidstofitall—therangerreluctantlynodded.

ButassheandKalecpickeduptheirpace,VereesacouldnothelpbutimaginewhyKrasusnow

riskedsomuch…imagineit,andshudder.

AgaspingKrasusmaterializedinthechamberoftheeggs.Thehundredsofmisshapeneggs

immediatelysentanewwaveofrevulsionthroughhimasheonceagainthoughtoftheliveswithinthat
wouldneverbecomewhattheyshouldhave.HecursedSinestraforwhatshehadwroughthere.

Thishorrificchamberwashischosendestination,butnothisfinalone.That,ofcourse,hadtodo

withthenextcavern,theonethathadhousedthereconstructedDemonSoul.

And,asthefaintgoldenglowemanatingfromitindicated,afoulartifactyetagainseeking

resurrection.

“Morethanenoughpieces,morethanenough,Ipromise,”heheardSinestramuttering.“You’llbe

betterandbetterthanever,you’llsee….”

Hesteppedintothechambertofindtheimmenseblackdragoneversogentlypluckingupthe

shardsoftheDemonSoulonebyonewiththegreatclawsofherrightpaw.EachtimeSinestradidthis,
shethensetitfloatingbeforeher.Ontheground,theshardswerestill,lifeless,butoncetheyfloated,a
hintoftheirvilenessreturned.

Thesecretforherabilitytorecreateithadtodowiththecubeshewieldedinherleftpaw.Ittook

KrasusamomenttorecognizeBalacgos’sBane,andhemarveledthatthisotherartifact,asdangerousas
itwas,couldenableSinestratorebuildthesecondandfarworseone,eveniftheSoulwouldstillbea
shadowofitsformerinfamy.

WhatmatteredwasthatitwouldexistatallandthatSinestracouldcontinueherexperiments.
“Soon,verysoon,”shemurmuredtothefloatingshards.“Almostenough!Almost—”
Witharoar,sheturnedherheadtowardKrasusandunleashedatorrentofmoltenlavafromher

gullet.

ButKrasushadbeenexpectingsuchanassaultfromoneoftheblackflight,thefollowersofthe

Earth-Warder.Heswepthisarmbeforehimandcoollightwrappedoverthemonstrousoutpour.

Thelavacooled,creatingagray-blackwallbetweenSinestraandhim.
“Iwillremakeitagainandagainandagain!”Deathwing’sconsortshrieked.“Andeachtimeitwill

bemoreterrible!Iwilldoit!Iwill!”

Krasushadknownhertobemad,butnowtheveneerofimperiouscalmthreatenedtoforeverbe

banished.ThedestructionoftheDemonSoulhaddonefarmoretohermindthanthedragonmage

couldhaveeverimagined.

Andthenhethoughtheknewwhy.
“Thisdidnotbeginasyourplot,didit,Sinestra?”thecowledfigureaskedasheslowlywendedhis

wayaroundthecooledlava.“Longago,Deathwingcompelledthisdesireonyou,didhenot?Shouldhe
perish,youwouldalwaysseektorecreatehisdreams,nomatterwhat?”

Theblackdragon’sbreathingquickened.“No!Thisismydream!Mygrandvision!Yes,Iwill

makeoverAzerothintoarealmruledbytheultimatedragonflight,butitwillbemycreation,nothingof
his!Mine!”

Hereadiedhimselfforhernextattack.Whatwasmostimportantwastogetalittlenearertoboth

theshardsandthecube.Toomanytimes,theDemonSoulhadlivedagain,andthathadtoend.

EvenifitendedwithallwithinGrimBatolslainintheprocess.
“ButthelegacyofDeathwingwillforeverbefoundinthebloodandmagicofthosedragons,

Sinestra!Afterall,itistheDemonSoulthatactsaspartoftheircreation!Whatmorespeaksofyour
Neltharionthanthat?”

Sheopenedhermouth—andhesitated.Krasuswonderedifperhapssheactuallybelievedhim.He

had,afterall,trulyspokenashebelieved.

“Azerothwillbemine….”
Thegroundrosearoundhim,swallowingKrasusinasinglesecond.Darknesssurroundedhimand

hefelthisprisonsinkbelow.HeknewthatSinestraintendedhebesealedforeverintheheartofthe
world.

Butthedragonmagehadalsoexpectedthat.Pushinghiswilltoitslimit…hetransformed.
Hisexpandingbodypressedagainsttheinteriorofhisprison.Sinestrahadexpectedhimtoattempt

this.Ifhecontinued,hethreatenedtocrushhimselftodeath.Withmostdragons,thiswouldhave
certainlybeenthecase.

ButKrasusrefusedtoyield.Hisbodystrained.Hisbonesfeltasifabouttocrackinahundred

places.Hisskullthreatenedtoflatten—

Theearthenshellcracked.Likeanewborn,Korialstraszthedragonthrusthisheadoutandroared

hisdefiancetotheblackdragon.

Sinestrawasintheactofusingthecube.Theceruleanartifactpulsatedand,inreverseofits

normalfunction,nowfedforththepowerithadaccumulated.

Korialstraszroseup,atthesametimesendingthepiecesofthehardenedshellattheblackdragon.

Astheybombardedher,hewhippedwithhistailfrombelowherblockedview.

Thetailsentthecubeflyingtowardhim.Korialstraszexpertlycaughtitinonepaw.Followingthe

examplerelatedtohimbyVereesa,Korialstraszthrewthecubeintotheotherartifact.

“No!”theblackroared.Sinestragrabbedforthecube.
ThecubeandtheDemonSoulutterlyannihilatedoneanother.Bothhadbeentoounstableforsuch

closeproximity;theirdoomhadbeencertainthemomentthatthecubehadtouched,fornowBalacgos’s
creationtriedtobothfeedandfeeduponwhatwouldnotsurrenderwhatitwasabsorbing.

Thefinal,absoluteendtoDeathwing’screationwasaburstofmagicalforcesthat,whilenotas

horrificaswhenVereesahadshattereditwiththenaarustaff,werefearsomeenoughtoanyinthenear
vicinity.

Sinestraturnedaway,buttoolate.Evenherscaleswerenotsufficienttokeepherfrombeing

scorched.Thestenchofburningfleshfilledthecavern.

Andastheblackroaredherpain,shedidsowithafaceperfectlymatchedinhorroroneachside.
Despiteheragony—orperhapsbecauseofit—Sinestraflewatherrival.Korialstraszmetherhead

on.Intruth,hewasstillweakerthanshebecauseofallthroughwhichhehadbeen,butnotoncedidhe
concernhimselfwiththat.

Sinestrasoughttoclampherteethuponhisneck.Korialstrasztwistedhisheadbackandforth,

tryingtoavoidthatwhileatthesametimesteeringhertowardthechamberoftheeggs.Thetwocrashed
againstthewallnexttotheentrance,sendingdownarainofstalactitesonboth.

ButjustasKorialstraszwasabouttosucceedingettingherinamongtheeggs—andhopefullyturn

theirbattle,whateveritsoutcome,intothedestructionofhermostprizedresources—Sinestrapulled
backfromhim.

“Clever,clever,mydearKorialstrasz!Idoapplaudyou!WouldthatyouhadbeenEarth-Warder

ratherthanNeltharion!Suchmorevaluedoffspringwewouldhaveproduced!”

“RatherwouldIhavespawnedwithakraken!”
Despitetheopenandverydefinitelypainfulsoresonherface,theblackdragonlaughed.
BehindKorialstrasz,thewaytotheeggssealedtight.Whenhestrucktheformeropeningwithhis

tail,itwaslikehittingdiamond.

“Iwouldnotwantmynewchildrengettingsinged,”shemocked.
Thegroundbeneaththemrumbled.
Korialstraszrecalledthelavapoolsinthenextchamberandknewthattheyhadtohaveasource

below.

AsourcethatnodoubtstretchedundertheentireexpanseofGrimBatol.
Thefloorofthecavernerupted.Afloodofmoltenlavarushedup—

Thedreadmountshookanew,butthetwootherleviathanslockedinconflictpaidnomindtoit.

DargonaxandZzerakufoughtwithabandon,theformeroccasionallycrashingintowallswhenstruckby
thelatter’smagic…andthenbothsinkingintothemastheDevourer,too,turnedincorporealandbetter
learnedtostrikebackwithhisownfearsomeenergies.Thecavernfilledwithbrightanddeadlylightas
tendrilssoughttostrangle,starburststriedtoripthroughghostlytorsos,andphantomjawsattemptedto
bitethroughequallyetherealthroats.

ButallthismeantlittletoRom,whohadstoodwithIridiwhileshehadattemptedtofinishfreeing

thenetherdragonandnowsoughttoreachherafterZzeraku’shorrificfoehadsentherflying.Atthis
point,thedwarfwantedonlytogetthedraeneiandhispeopleout.Asthepriestessleanedagainsther
staff,hespottedGrendainthedistance.

Shealsosawhimandthepleasureinhereyeswasenoughtomaketheveteranwarriorblushunder

hisbeard.Hewavedforhertoleadtheotherstothenearestpassage,thensawthatshewaspointingpast
him.

Spinningabout,RomsawRaskaimingadwyar’hun.Thedrakonidhadlikelyseizeditoffoneof

hisminions,forhehadnotbeencarryingitearlier.Raskhadnodoubtcalculatedthathemightnotcome
outnearenoughtothosehepursuedtouseanyotherweapon.

Thedrakonidfiredevenasthedwarfregisteredhim.However,thetargetwasnotRom,butthe

draenei.Yet,notatallcaringwhatriskhetook,Romthrewhimselfbetweenthedrakonidandthe
priestess,atthesametimeraisinguphisax.

Thespikedmissiledeflectedofftheflatoftheaxhead,butinsteadofflyingoffinaharmless

direction,ithitRomintheshoulderrightbetweentwosegmentsofpadding.Hegruntedassomeofthe
spikeswentinatleasthalfaninch.

Hidinghisinjuryfromthedraenei,heroaredtoher,“RunforRhonin!He’sourbestbetofmakin’

itoutofherealive!Hurry!Go!”

Hestartedafterherforafewsteps,then,whenhewascertainthatshewascommittedtoreaching

thewizard—andthinkingthathewasthesame—Romturned.

Buthedidnotturnsoonenough.Theheadofaheavyaxsankintohisside.Thedwarffell,hisone

handtrappedunderhisbody.Hefelthisbloodsimultaneouslyspillingoverhistorsoandgrowingcold
asitsluggishlyattemptedtokeepflowing.

Aheavyclawedfootsteppedonhismaimedarmandalthoughitwasbroken,itstillverymuchfelt

thenewpainasRaskpurposelypressedenoughtomakeanew,sharpbreak.

“Dwarffilth…”ThedrakonidsteppedpastRom,theaxnowgrippedfortossing.Onlyacreature

aspowerfulasRaskcouldthrowsuchalargeaxwithaccuracy.

Itwastimetodie,Romknew.TheghostsofGimmelandtheotherswhohadperishedinand

aroundGrimBatolgatheredinpreparationofhisjoiningtheirranks.

ButRomstruggledtohisknees,keepingassilentashecould.Wavering,hemovedbehindRask,

whowasaimingnotatIridi,butanunsuspectingRhonin.Therewasnodoubtinthedwarf’smindthat
thedrakonidwoulddeliveruntotheunsuspectingwizardafatalblowdespitethedistance.

Romsoughtforthedwyar’hun,butRaskhadapparentlydiscardedtheweaponrightafterfiringthe

oneshot.Heleftthewoundedwarriorwithonlyonechance.

Romthrewhimselfunderthemuchtallerdrakonid’sarm,shovingRask’sarmupward.Atthesame

time,hetwistedthecreature’swrist,tryingtodrivethesharpbladeintoRask’shead.

Butalthoughstillstrongbyhumanstandards,Romwastooweaktoachievehisdesperategoal.

TheaxheadinsteadturnedtowardRask’sjaw,slicingitopen.

Withahissofrageandpain,thescalyguardshovedhimaway.Blooddrippingfromhismouth,the

drakonidswungtheaxatRom.However,theswingwasanawkwardone,theflatinsteadstriking
againstthedwarf’shelmet.

Rollingaway,RomlocatedhisownaxjustasRaskstaggeredoverhim.Thedrakonid’sbreathing

wasragged,buthewasfarfromslowed.Headjustedhisgriponhisweaponandcameatthedwarf.

Withamightyroar,Romraisedhisax.
Thedrakonid’sreachwasgreaterthanhis.Withagrunt,Raskchoppedatthefallenwarrior,the

bladecuttingdeepintothedwarf’schest.

Thedwarfcriedout,awaretheblowwasafatalone.Yet,insteadofgivingintohisdeath,Rom

usedtheincrediblepaintoaddtotheforceofhisownswing.Withtheskillsofonewhostoodamong
theeliteofBronzebeard’swarriors,heguidedtheaxexpertlypastRask’sguard.Andwithhisremaining
strength,severedthedrakonid’sheadfromhisbody.

AsRask’sbodytumbledtotheside,Romcollapsednearthehead,whichevenindeathstillworea

snarl.Theroarsofthefightingdragonsnearlyshatteredthedyingdwarf’seardrums.Heheardacrack
fromaboveandknewthatasectionoftheceilinghadbrokenloose,butwasnotconcerned.Bythetime
thecollapsewouldreachhim,Romwouldbebeyondanypain.

Hesuddenlynoticedfiguresstandingaroundhim.Gimmel,hiscomradefromthewar,stood

amongthem,offeringRomapipe.

TheghostsofthoseotherdwarveswhomGrimBatolhadclaimedwelcomedintotheirrankstheir

oldcomradeandvanishedtothegreathallsoftheafterlife…

Thetwotitansclashedagainandagain,usingtheirspellstotossoneanotheraboutthecavern.

Dargonaxpaidnomindtothetinycreaturesaroundthem,butZzerakudid.Hesawthedwarvesandthe
wizardand,mostofall,thedraenei—Iridi,heknewthroughtheircontact—strugglingnotonlyto
survive,buttodefeattheevilinthisplace,anevilakininmanywaystowhathehadonceembracedbut
wasnowutterlyrevoltedby.

WhereasZzerakuhadbeenbroughtherebyforce,theyhadcomewillinglytothisplace,come

willingtosacrificethemselves.Zzerakustruggledtounderstandthatwillingnessevenashebattled
Dargonax.Theyfoughtforsomethingthatmeantmorethantheirlives,somethingthatwouldhelp
othersmorethanthemselves….

Thatknowledgemadehimallthemoreashamedatwhathehadbeeninthepast…atwininspirit

ofthegrotesquerieagainstwhichhenowstruggled.

No!Iwillnotbelikehim!Shefoundmeofworth!Iwillnotbeasthisone…Iwillnotbe!
AndalthoughhesensedjusthowpowerfulDargonaxtrulywasandjusthowmuchchancehe

reallyhadagainsthim,Zzerakuknewthat,ifonlyforIridi,hewouldfighttotheend…whicheverend
fatedecreed.

Forher…

MostofthedwarveshadfledandRhoninhadmanagedtoindicatetotheraptorsthattheyshould

follow.Onlyafewskardynremained,buttheywereathreateasilycontainedbythewizard,who
gatheredthemupwithasinglespell,thenthrewthelotintooneofthefarthestcrevices.Whetherthey
survivedornotwasofnointeresttothewizard,onlyfindingVereesaand,assumingthathewasalive,
Krasus.

Iridirantowardhim,thedraeneiconstantlylookingoverhershoulderasifexpectingsomeoneto

berightbehindher.Rhoninlookedpastthepriestessandsawonlytherubbleofthecollapsedceiling.

“Rom…”hemurmured,startingforward.Thelasthehadseenofthedwarfhadbeenwhena

drakonidhadalsoappeared.

“Hewassupposedtobewithme!”thedraeneiutteredthemomenttheyreachedoneanother.“He

was—”

“Actinglikeatruedwarvenwarrior,”Rhoninreturned.“Hedidwhathehadto.There’snothingwe

cando….”

Iridi’sexpressionchangedabruptly,becomingverysolemn.“Iknewhimonlyashorttime,butI’ll

domybesttohonorhissacrificeandfollowhisexample….”

Thewizardstartedtoreply,onlytosuddenlyneedtograbherbeforeanothersectionofthe

chambercouldfalluponthem.

Butalthoughhemanagedtokeepthemfromavoidingthatthreat,thegroundnowshookwith

absoluteabandon.ThetremorsthatRhoninhadfeltafewmomentsbeforemagnifiedathousandtimes
over.

Cracksspreadthroughoutthecavernfloor,hotgasseshissingoutofthem.Thecavernbecame

stiflinglyhot.

Rhoninlookedtothenearestpassage,whichwasstilltoofaraway.Apartofhimthoughtof

Vereesa,butheknewwhathehadtodo.

Heseizedthedraeneiinhisarms.“HoldtightandprayI’vegotthewillandstrengthtodothisone

moretime!”

“ButZzerakuneedsme!Heknowsthathecan’tfightDargonaxalone!Heissacrificinghimself

forus!Forme!Ifeelit!Imusthelphim!Iwillnotlethissacrificebeinvain—”

“Notimeforarguments!Holdtight!”
Thelastofthedwarvesandraptorswereout,notthatRhonincouldhavedoneanythingforany

stilllingering.Heshuthiseyesandconcentrated—

Anexplosionfilledhisears…thenalmostimmediatelydulled.
Itwasdarkaroundhim,buthedidnotneedtoseewelltoknowthatthetwoofthemwereoutside.

Inaddition,thewizardcouldhearthedwarvesastheyabandonedGrimBatolwithoutreservation.

Hissesmixedamongtheircallsgavehintofseveralraptorsalsoescapingthecarnage.

Butevenoutside,thegroundshook.Rhoninwastooweaktoriskanotherleapaftersomuch

spellcastingoverthepasthours,buthepreparedhimselfnonetheless.

However,itwasnotthegroundthatfinallyerupted,butasideofGrimBatol.
AndwithitcameDargonaxandZzeraku.
Aplumeoflavashotintothepair—andthroughthem.Theimmenseburstofmoltenearthmeant

nothingtothem.Yet,allwasnotclearlywellwithZzerakuforsomeotherreason.Inthefierylightof
theeruption,thenetherdragonlookedmoretranslucentthanRhoninthoughthealthy,andheseemed
alwaysontheundersideofthestruggle.

“Zzerakuislosing,”Iridisuddenlysaid,verifyingthewizard’sfears.“Hehasbeentoolonga

prisoner,toolongdrainedofhisessence…andIthinkDargonaxyetstillsomehowfeeds…”

“Thatdoesn’tsurprisemeabit!”ButothermatterswerealreadyonRhonin’smind,mattersthat

hadhimstaringattheravagedmount.Tothedraenei,hesaid,“Iridi,you’llbesafeherewiththe
dwarves.Staywiththem,allright?”

“You’regoingafterVereesa,aren’tyou?”
“AndafterKrasus,ifhestilllives,but,yes,Vereesamostofall…”
Thepriestessnodded.“Go.Iknowwhatmustbedone.”
Henoddedhisappreciation,althoughhealsofeltsomeguiltatfocusingonlyonthepersonalinthe

midstofwhatmightprovecalamityforallAzeroth.Dargonaxneededtobestopped,ifthatwasatall
possible.

Buthehadtofindhiswifefirst…
Rhoningrittedhisteethandtriedtofocusentirelyonher.Heprayedthathewascloseenoughto

beabletotransporthimselftotheonewhomheknewbestofallandwhoknewhimjustasdeeply.If
shewasalive,Rhoninwouldfindher.

AndifVereesawasnot,evenSinestraandherabominationwouldlearnhowgreatcouldbeone

wizard’sfury…whetherornotintheendallRhoninaccomplishedwastogethimselfkilled.

TWENTY-THREE

herewaslavaeverywhereandalthoughKorialstraszhadearlierusedittohealhimself,ashehad

explainedtoVereesa,therewerelimitstohowlonghecouldsurviveinitingeneral.

Hehadjustaboutreachedthoselimits.
WhereSinestrawas,thereddragoncouldnotsay.Thereweretoomanyprimalforcesandenergies

aroundhim.GrimBatolwassosaturatedwithmagicthatitwasimpossibletoeverfullycomprehend
themagnitudeofthoseenergies.EachtimeKorialstraszhadthoughtheknewall,themountprovedhim
wrong.

Theheatbegantotakeitstollonhisbodyashefoughteverupward.Morethanonepatchofscales

wasalreadyburnt.Korialstraszbegantodoubthischancesofescapingthisparticularmenace—

Butthenhisheadburstthroughcoolerrockanddirt,followedalmostimmediatelythereafterby

preciousair.Korialstraszletoutaroarthatwasmoreagaspforthatairplusapleadingtoescapethe
burning.Thereddragontumbledhaphazardlyoverthetopoftheruinedmount,then,unabletokeephis
momentum,hecrashedintothefarsideofit…androlleddowntothebase.

Thereweretwoothersdesperatelyseekingtheirfreedomfromthecatastrophewroughtbythe

blackdragon.KalecshieldedbothheandVereesaasbesthecould,althoughafterallhistrials,the
youngbluewasmorethanwillingtoadmithewasneartobeingfinished.Yet,visionsofAnveenainhis
headcombinedwithhisconcernfortherangertokeephimpushingon.

Andthen,withlavaseepingaroundthemandnogoodplacefortheweakenedbluetotransform,a

startlingfigurematerialized.Ahumanwizardwithredhair.KalecknewenoughfrombothVereesaand
hisownflight’sinformationonmortalspellcastersthatthishadtobeRhoninDraig’cyfaill…althoughin
theeyesofthegreatMalygos,callinghim“Dragonheart”wasarathersweepingstatementsince,rightly
orwrongly,theAspectofMagicsawhimasthemosttolerableofanintolerableorder.

Inthisandotherthings,Kalechadfoundhimselfmuchindisagreementwithhislord,butatthe

momentheonlycaredthatthishumanwasthemateofthishighelfandmightbeabletogetherout.

“Vereesa!”Rhoninshoutedthemomenthesawher.LikeKalecandtheranger,hewas,forthe

moment,shielded.However,hisshieldwasevenclosertocollapsethantheblue’s.Kalechadtoactfast.

“Takeherwithyou!”heordered,thrustingherintohisarms.“Getheroutofhere!Thispassageis

abouttojointhosebelowinbeingdeluged!”

“Whataboutyou?”demandedVereesa.“Whataboutyou?”
Seeingthepairtogether,theyoungbluewonderedwhatmighthavebeen,ifthedestiniesofheand

Anveenahadbeenmeanttobethesame.Thatdecidedmattersforhim.Hedidnotwaitforthe

obviouslywearyhumantoattempttotakethehighelftosafety.Kalecdiditforthem.

Thetransparent,blueorbencircledboth.Itwasavisiblevariationoftheshieldalreadyaround

him.RhoninandVereesalookedreadytoprotest,butKalecgavethemnochance.

“Withyourmagic,youcanguidethisout!Go!”Asanimpetus,hesentthesphereonitsway,

assumingthatthewizardwassmartenoughtokeepitmovingafterward.Theorbanditsoccupants
burrowedupthroughthecrumblingwalls.

NowatlastKaleccouldtrywhathehaddarednottoforfearofendangeringhiscompanion.It

wouldrequireallhisfocus,allhisremainingmight…andallthefaithAnveenahadeverhadinhim.

Hetransformed,atthesametimemoldingagreatershieldaroundhisexpandingform.Asthisall

happened,thebluealsosoughttoriseup.

Kalectorethroughtonaftertonofhardrockandearth.Hedidnotgodirectlyup,butonmoreofa

slant,foritwashisdesiretoreachoneofthevastcavernsheknewpocketedthatside.Thatwaswhere
thenetherdragonhadbeensecuredanditwastheblue’sintentiontoseeiftheotherleviathanwasstill
imprisonedthere.KalecknewthathealonecouldnottakeonDargonax,butwiththenetherdragon’s
aid—assumingthatwaspossibletogain—theremightbehope.

ThelavacontinuedtoexplodethroughGrimBatol.Thiswasnonaturaleruption,thatheknew.

Themountshouldhavebeenfarmorestable.HecouldonlythinkittheworkofDeathwing’sconsort,
likelyasastrikeagainstthereddragon.Kalecwishedthathecouldgoandhelp—assumingthat
Korialstraszstilllived—buthefeltDargonaxthegreaterthreat.Sinestradidnotknowwhatshehad
created.Somewhere,somehow,theabominationwouldturnfromservanttomaster.

Therockbeforehimsuddenlycrumbledaway.Hissnoutenteredashatteredcavern,butonethat

alsowasnotyetfloodedbylava.Gratefulforthat,thebluedragonburstthrough.

Apowerfulblackradiancewashedoverhim.Kalecroared,thencrashedagainstonesideofthe

cavern.Hislimbsfroze.Hecouldnotmoveatall.

“Well,notthefoolIwasexpecting!”Sinestracrowedfromsomewhereinthedarkness.“Butyou

willdo…”

Herclawswrappedaroundhislegsandshecarriedhimawaywithher.

Zzerakuwasdying.Iridicouldbothseeandsensethat.Sheknewthatanetherdragon’sessence

wasfiniteand,aftersomuchtorture,therewasnotmuchleft.Hesurelyrecognizedhisimminentdoom,
butnotintheleastdidZzerakuappeareagertoescapeit.

AnditwasnotbecauseofprideorsimplythatDargonaxhadtobestopped.No,asIridihad

discernedearlier,ithadtobebecausethenetherdragonhopedtosomehowsavetheothers—saveher—
fromdeath.

ButIcan’tletthathappen!Iwon’tlethimsacrificehimselfformeoranyone!thedraenei

desperatelythought.Thusitwasthatsheslippedaroundthedwarvesandeventheraptors—whowere
clearlyheadedbacktotheridgethattookitsnamefromthem—andwendedherwaytoaspotwhereshe
couldobservethetwogiantcombatantsascloselyaspossible.Iridihadnoideawhetherornotherplan
wouldwork,onlythatsurelyifDargonaxcouldfeedonthestaff’spower,thensocouldZzeraku.

Summoningthestaff,shepointedthelargercrystalatthenetherdragon.Thepriestessrecalledall

hertrainingintheareaofinwardfocus;shecouldhavenodistraction.Allherconcentrationhadtobe
onthismoment.

AndonpreventingZzerakufromgivinghislifeforher.
Eyesfixedonthecrystal,shechanneledthepowerofthenaaru’sgiftintothegreatbeast…and

prayed.

AgreatrushofenergyfilledZzeraku.Withitcamewonderatthismiracle,wonderandthen

understanding.Heknewthesourceandknewexactlywhatitwascostingthedraenei.

AndthefactthatshewaswillingtogiveofherselfagaintosavehimfilledZzerakuwith

somethingelsehehadnevertrulyexperienced…prideinnotonlywhathewas,butwhathehad
become.Netherdragonshadnotruepast,notruelegacyuponwhichtodraw;theywere,hehad
discoveredfromanother,theproductofthewarpedeggsoftheverysameblackdragonflightfrom
whichDargonaxhadalsobeencreated.

Theonlydifferencewasthat,unlikeDargonax,Zzerakunowrejectedanysuchtie.Hewasnot

destinedtobeevil;hisfatewashischoice,whetheritbelifeordeath.

Glowingbright,thenetherdragonsummonedhismagicagain.Anewandmoreturbulentstormof

lightningboltsassailedtheDevourer,whowithdrewinsurprise.

Zzerakulaughed…anddoveforwardinpursuit.

Thetwotitansswoopedovertheburningmountlikeapairofhugecarrioncrowsfightingoverthe

deadofabattlefield.Dargonaxdroppeddownuponthenetherdragon,butthetwoonceagainpassed
throughoneanother.

IridifeltthatZzerakuwasstillnotstrongenoughtodefeatSinestra’screation.Thedraeneidropped

downononekneeinordertopreserveherstrengthassheforcedthestafftogiveofitself—andher—
evenmore.

Asthenewburstofenergyfilledhim,Zzerakuroaredtothedraenei,“Youmustnotdomore!Go!

Thisoneisminenowtofight!”

ButDargonax,peeringdownatthepriestess,roaredbacktothenetherdragon,“Fearnotforyour

littlepet!Sheandthepowershewieldswillmakemeafinemealsoonenough….”

Iridiknewthatmostdragonswerehighlyintelligent,butDargonaxhadacunningfarinadvanceof

hismeagerlife.Allaboutthetwilightdragonwasmorethanshouldhavebeenpossible.Sinestrahad
acceleratedbothhisphysicalandmentalgrowthbeyondanymeasure.HowdeadlywouldDargonaxbe
ifallowedtoliveevenayear?

Thatfearmadeherallthemoredetermined.Thepriestesslookedintoherselfforthattinypartthat

inalmostanymortalcreaturealwaysheldback.Yet,forthesakeofZzeraku,Iridicouldnolonger
permitthat.

Andsoshegavethatpartofher,too.Throughthestaff,allthatshewashelpedfeedthenether

dragonyetmore.

Zzerakuswelledagain.Morefearsomethanever,thenetherdragonbeathiswings,creatingwith

boththemandhismagicagaleforcewindthatbuffetedDargonax.Thetwilightdragonrevertedto
etherealandyetstillZzeraku’swingsbatteredathim,forinthatwindwasalsothepowerfulenergies
thatthestaff—andIridi—provided.

OnoneofDargonax’swings,asparkoflightburstintobeing.Asecondmaterializedonhislower

rightlegandathirdonhistorso.Eachtime,thetwilightdragongroaned.

It’sworking!AlthoughIridifeltasweakasdeath,herheartleapt.Zzerakuwasmomentsfrom

destroyingDargonax.

Butthen,fromthefierymountshotforthablackradiance.Thedraeneiexpectedittostrikethe

netherdragon,butinsteadithitDargonaxfrombehind.

Yet,thetwilightdragondidnotroarinpain,butratherbellowedinpleasure.
“Yesss!”Hecalledtoallthatcouldhear.“More!Iwouldhavemore…”

AndbeforeastartledZzerakucouldmove,Dargonaxflewforward,graspingthenetherdragonby

thewingswithclawsthatglowedonyx.DespitethefactthatZzerakuwasincorporeal,thetwilight
dragonsuddenlyhadnotroublekeepingasavagegriponhim.Thenetherdragontriedtotwistfree,but
hismonstrousfoeheldfast.

“You’vefedmemanytimes,”Dargonaxmocked.“Nowyoufeedmeonelastfeast!”
Thetwilightdragondrewbackhishead.Zzerakushriekedandhisbodyrippledasifnotreal.His

shapethentwisted,asifbeginningtomelttomist.

“No!”screamedIridi.ShehadbeensoclosetosavingZzeraku.“No!Please!”

Zzerakufelthimselfslippingaway.Hewasdoomed.Hisonlydesirenowwastokeepthebrave

littledraeneifromperishingwithhim.Howgrandshewas!Howbraveandloyal!Hecursedhimselffor
havingthoughtsodisdainfullyofnotonlyherbutallthetiniercreatures!Despitetheirsize,despitetheir
soft,easily-crushedbodies,theywerefarmoreadmirablethanhe.

Butalthoughhetriedtobreakthelink,Iridirefused.Shewasstillasdeterminedtohelphimashe

washer.

Hehadonlyoneotherchance.Withalastdefiantroar,thenetherdragontriedtodisruptthespell

thatenabledtheDevourer’sclawstoholdhisincorporealform.

AsZzerakuattacked,hefeltsomethingwithinDargonaxreacttohispower.TheDevourershrieked

inturn,then,almostimmediatelypulledhimselftogether.

“No…”sneeredthedarkbeast.“No,youwillnot…”
Zzerakufelttendrilsofpowertearathisverybeing.Hewasliterallybeingtorntopiecesandthere

wasnothingmorehecoulddotostopit…orhelpthedraenei.Thenetherdragontriedtomaintainhis
cohesion,butfelthimselfslippingaway.Asthetwilightdragontookinmoreandmoreofwhatwashis
foe,henowswelledtohorrificproportions.Zzeraku’smindsplintered.Henolongerevenlookedlikea
netherdragon,butrathersomegrotesque,monstrousblob.Hemanagedonelastcoherentthought
focusedatthedraenei.

Iamsorry!Iamsorry…friend—

AndasDargonaxabsorbedZzeraku’sfullessence,healsotookintohimfromthestaff…andIridi.
Thedraeneishook.Shetriedtokeeptoakneelingposition,buteventhatwasnotpossible,

anymore.Withagroan,Iridifellforward.Thestaffdroppedfromhergrip…butthistimedidnotvanish.
Instead,itclatteredontherockygroundseveraltimes,thencametorestnearherfeet.

Thelightofthegreatcrystalfaded,leavingonlyadullstone.
I’vefailed…thepriestessknew.Allthat,andI’vefailedyou…braveZzeraku…friend…
Sheforcedherheadup,hopingagainsthopethatZzerakucouldstillprevail—
Butwithawail,thenetherdragondissipatedintoaswirlingcloudofenergy,whichDargonaxtook

inwithasingleinhalation.Asthetwilightdragonroaredhispleasure,heseemedtoswellevenmore.

Morethanherownsuffering,thislastterriblevisionwastoomuchforIridi.Herbodywracked

withpain,shelaidherheaddown…andlostconsciousness.

ThespherecarryingRhoninandVereesaalightedonthegroundnearthedwarves,thenopened.As

thetwosteppedthroughthegap,thehugeorbvanished.

Grendarusheduptothepair.“Vereesa!Wizard!Praisebe!Andtheothers?”
Rhoninshookhishead.“Ican’tsaywithanycertaintyaboutanyone…exceptIridiandRom.”
“Rom?”Thefemaledwarflookedfearful.“Doyousay—?”
“Heperishedinbattle,bringingsomedrakonidwithhim.”
“Rask,mostlikely,”Vereesaadded.
“He—heshallbehonored,”Grendareplied,herfaceflushedasshefoughttocontainherburning

emotions.Clearlytryingtosethermindonotherthings,sheasked,“Whataboutthedraenei?”

“Sheshouldbeoutheresomewhere….”ThefieryilluminationsproutingoutofGrimBatolmade

itpossibletoseequitefar,ifinoddintervalsattimes.

Atthatmoment,aroarmadeallpeerup.Dargonaxflutteredabovethelandscapelikesome

infernalgod.Intheeruption’sglow,hewasfrighteningtobehold.

“Whathappenedtothenetherdragon?”thewizardasked.
“AterribleblackforceshotforthfromGrimBatolanditstrengthenedthebeast.Therewasapale

bluelightthattouchedZzerakuandmadehimstrongerforatime,butitwasn’tenough—”

“Apale—Iridi!Shemust’vebeentryingsomething!Ihopeshewasn’thurtby—”
ButbeforeRhonincouldsaymore,Dargonaxlookeddownatthetinyfiguresandlaughed.“Gaze

welluponthiswretchedplacesurroundingyouandsavorthatview,littlemorsels…foritisthelastsight
youwilllivetosee…”

Thewizardgrunted.“Whydotheyalwayssaysomethinglikethat?”Hesteppedinfrontof

VereesaandGrenda.“Allofyouscatter!TheremaybeachanceIcanholdhimofflongenoughforthe
restofyou—”

“Iwillnotgowithoutyou!”thehighelfdeclared.
“Andnodwarfrunsanymorefromanoversizedlizard!”Grendacried,herremarksparkingshouts

ofagreementfromthosewarriorsnearby.

Rhoninhadnotimetoargue.Dargonaxwasalreadydescending.Thewizardthoughtofeverything

thathehadlearnedaboutdragonsandhopedthatsomethingwouldgivehimanotionofwhattodo.He
wasalreadyexhaustedandevenathisbest,hedoubtedthathewasgoodenoughtobeatbacka
behemothsuchasthis.

Butstillhecast.
WhitetendrilsmaterializedaroundDargonax.TheywereakininlooktowhathadheldZzerakuat

bay,butwithamoreintricatematrixtotheirdesign.

Theyenvelopedthetwilightdragon,bindingthewingsthathadstretchedoutforasfarastheeye

couldsee.Dargonaxroaredhisfuryashefelltowardtheground.

Butsuddenlyhegrewtranslucent.Rhonin’smagicalbondscontinuedtheirdescentwithouttheir

prisoner.

Dargonaxshimmeredmomentarily,thensolidifiedoncemore.Shakinghishead,hecontinuedhis

divetowardthetinyfiguresbelow.

We’redoomed,Rhoninrealized.WeareabouttodieandIdon’tevenhavethestrengthtocast

Vereesatosafety….

Dargonaxopenedhishugemaw.

AsharppainwaswhatfinallycausedKorialstrasztostir,asharppaininafamiliarplace.
Thereddragonraisedhisheadandstaredattheareawherehehadbeenwoundedbytheblack

crystal.Yet,itdidnotstrikehimthatthecrystalwastoblame…butrathersomethingthathadbeen
hiddenbythecrystal’smoreobviouspresence.

Andnow,hereinGrimBatol,awayfromallelse,hecouldfinallysenseit.Korialstraszcould

finallytellwhatitwas.

Everyouhauntme,childofNeltharion!Thecrimsonbehemothconcentratedhissuddenfuryon

thespot.Hetwitchedasrenewedpaincoursedthroughhim,butdidnotgiveintoit.Thistime,
Korialstraszwouldcleansehimself.

Fromhisscaledhidetheresuddenlyshotoutasmallgroupoftinyshards.Mostwereoftheblack

crystaland,thankstohisearlierefforts,absolutelyharmless.

Butwiththemwasonegoldenpiecenolargerthanatinypea.
“Curseofmylife!”Korialstraszgrowled.“DamnableDemonSoul!”
Dismissingtheothershards,hesummonedthelonepieceoftheDemonSoultohim.Itlandedin

hispaw,sotinyandyetsoinsidious.Withitnowdiscovered,thereddragoncouldsensethesecretive
spellcastaroundit.

Alreadyhefeltstronger.Korialstraszpreparedtodestroytheloneshard—thenshuthispalm

aroundit.HelookedtothechaoticfurygoingonatopGrimBatol,thenstretchinghiswingsfull,rose
intotheair.

Sinestrawatchedwithgleeaseventsunfolded.Inhermind,allwentexactlyasshedesired.That

GrimBatolitselfwasindireturmoildidnotmatter.Whatdidwasthathercreationhadproventobeall
shehadhopedforandmore…andwouldbeoutshonebythenextgenerationshecreatedonceallthose
whosoughttointerferewereeradicated.

Theblackdragonleanedovertheblue,wholayfrozenatherfeet.Inherhand,sheheldoneshard

oftheDemonSoul.ItwasallSinestraneededtoachievehergloriousfuture.Letahundreddragons
come;solongasDargonaxobeyedher,theywouldperishasKorialstraszhad…andtheblueeventually
would.

AsteadygoldenglowsurroundedKalec.Hewasnotunconscious,merelyunabletomove.Worse,

onceagainhisveryessencewasbeingdrained,albeitinamoreindiscriminatemannerthanprevious.

Butwithherotherdevicesandspellsunavailabletoher,Sinestranowusedherselftohelpfocus

theenergiestotheirfinaldestination.Throughtheshardandherself,themaddragonsentthemforthin
theformoftheblackradiancetoDargonax.

Thenetherdragonwasnomore,buthisessencehadnotgonetowaste.Again,thankstoher

efforts,Dargonaxhadbeenabletoingestthatessenceandmakehimselfevenmorepowerful.

“Perfect…”shemurmured.“Ithasallcometopass….”
Then,theonethingthatcouldshatterherinsaneconfidencesuddenlyflewupfromseeminglythe

deadtoapproachDargonax.SinestraroaredherfuryatthesightofKorialstrasz.Theredwasmoments
fromreachingthemonstrousfigure.

Andevenfromwhereshestood,Deathwing’sconsortcouldsensethroughtheshardsheheldwhat

Korialstraszcarriedwithhim.Itwasnolongerwhereherlong-agoplottinghaddictated.Secretedby
thesorcererunderhercontrol,undertheguiseofanothermagicalattack.Now,hercunningtricktosee
toitthatAlexstrasza’smeddlingconsortwouldneverfaceherwithhisfullstrengthorfacultieswas
comingbacktohaunther.

IfKorialstraszwillinglycarriedwithhimthepieceoftheDemonSoulonceinfectinghim,there

couldbeonlyonereason.Itwasamadplanandsurelycouldnotwork.

Itsurelycouldnot…
Sinestraleanedforward.KorialstraszwasnomatchforDargonax,nomatchforwhatshehad

wrought.Therewasnoneedtodoanythingbutcontinuedrainingtheblueandusingittofeedherchild.

Dargonaxwoulddevourtheredmuchashehadthenetherdragon.Therewasnodoubtofthat.

Andyet…itwasKorialstrasz…
Sinestraglaredathercreation,seekinganyhintoftrouble…andfoundsomething.Somethingthat

hadbeenalteredinDargonaxandgaveKorialstraszachanceafterall…

Somethingthatonlytheuniqueenergiesofanetherdragonmighthavecaused…
Withanoutragedshriek,theblackdragonheldherownshardclosetoherasshesoaredafterthe

hatedred.

Sinestra’sfoulgetwasgargantuan.HewasnotquiteashugeasanAspect,buthecertainlywasas

massiveasKorialstraszandcertainlymuchmorerefreshedatthemoment.

Nevertheless,theredleviathandidnothesitate.Indeed,itwasvitalthatheclosewithSinestra’s

abomination.Onlythencouldheusetheshardandhopethathehadguessedright.Atthispoint,there
couldonlybeonemannerbywhichDeathwing’sconsortcouldcontrolsuchamonster,thesame
mannerbywhichKorialstraszhopednowtodestroythefiend.

Thehopewasadesperateoneandnotlikelytowork,butitwasallKorialstraszhad.Hedoubted

SinestrawouldleavesuchaweaknessinDargonaxandyet…

Theotherdragondidnotseehim,thecreatureinthemidstofdivingdowntoterrorizeanddestroy

thedwarves—andRhoninandVereesa,Korialstraszsensed.Thatfurtherspurredonthereddragon;he
wasalreadycertainthatKalecwasdead,Kalecwhohadrightlyclaimedthattoomanyofthosewhohad
becomeinvolvedwithKorialstraszoverthecenturieshadpaidthepriceforthatassociation.Thered
dragoncouldnotletthathappentothewizardandthehighelf,especiallynotthem.

Hebellowedasloudashecould,demandinghisfoepaymindtohim,nothingelse.
Theamethystleviathanobligedhim.
“Theredone…”Dargonaxhissedslyly.“KrasusorKorialstrasz,yes?Isenseyourgreatpower…

yourenergy…”

Korialstraszsaidnothing,soaringtowardDargonax.Thefiendsoundedasmadashiscreator.
Thetwilightdragon’seyesbecameslits.“Thebluetoldmeyouwerecunning,butIseeonlya

fool!IwillenjoydevouringyouressenceasIdidthenether’s—”

“Wouldyourathernotbefree?”
Dargonaxcameupshort.Hoveringbeforetheoncomingred,hegrowled,“Whatdoyoumean?

Whattrickeryisthis?”

“Shewillalwayscommandyou,alwayskeepyourheadbowedtoher!Wouldyourathernotbe

freeofhermastery,youwhoareclearlymorethananydragoneverborn?”

“Oh,yes,Iwouldbefree…”Dargonaxshimmered.“…butnotasyou’dlike!”
HeturnedetherealjustbeforeKorialstrasz,withalast,suddenburstofspeed,triedtothrustthe

shardintohim.Thereddragonflewthroughhisfoe.

Buteveninfailure,Korialstraszlearnedmuch.Firstwasthattherewasnoshardinherentin

Dargonax’sphysicalform.Thesecondwasthattheshimmeringwasnotapartofhistransformationto
theghostlyform.Indeed,whenithadhappened,theredhadsensedsomethingalteredatDargonax’s
core,somethingthathintedofanotherforce…oneakintotheenergiesofthedeadnetherdragon.

Thereddragon’shopesrenewed.Banking,Korialstraszturnedforasecondattempt.
Aplumeoflavastruckhimfullinthechest.Stunnedandoutofcontrol,hespunaroundand

around.Onlybarelydidhecontinuetoholdontotheshard,althoughapartofhimwonderedifitwas
worthit.

Ashisheadcleared,hesawSinestraaboveDargonax.Thetwilightdragonlookedfromonetothe

otherandtheloathinghehadfortheblackwascleartoKorialstrasz,althoughDargonaxwascarefulto
hideitfromher.

“Forshame,Korialstrasz!”shemocked.“You’llnottakemyDargonaxawayfromme!”Theblack

dragonheldherpawforward.“Hewillalwaysbemine…asAzerothshallbe…”

“Yourinsanedreamstopshere,Sinestra!Deathwing’sinsanedreamstopshere!”
Ashehadexpected,mentionofNeltharionthrewherintoarage.Wingsoutstretched,shelooked

toDargonax.“Heis—”Sinestraunexpectedlypaused.“Ah,welldone,Korialstrasz!Youdidwantme
tosendhimatyou,didyounot?”Shecockedherhead.“Noanswerfromyou?Perhapsthiswillopen
yourmouth!”

Thereddragonroaredashispawsuddenlythrasheduncontrollably.Heopenedhispaw—
TheshardthathehadhopedtouseonDargonaxwasnownomorethanapuddlethatdripped

throughtheair…andwithitwentKorialstrasz’slasthope.

TWENTY-FOUR

hemomentthatthereddragonappeared,Rhonintriedtogettheotherstoflee.Vereesa,however,had

anotherconcern.

“WemustfindIridi….”
Withanodtohiswife’ssense,thewizardandsherushedofftowherehehadlastseenthedraenei,

whileGrendareorganizedherpeopleinpreparationforanyattack,evenbyDargonaxorhiscreator.

“Sheshould’vebeennearhere,”thewizardmuttered,eyeingtheareainexasperation.“Shewas

supposedtostayoutofdanger….”

Thesharp-eyedrangerstudiedtheground.“Iridiwentthisdirection.”
“ThatleadsherbacktowardGrimBatol.Ofcourse.”
WithVereesainthelead,theyracedtowherethetrailled.Above,thedragonsroared,butRhonin

kepthisfocusonfindingthepriestess.Atthispoint,theoutcomeabovewasinthehands—paws—of
Korialstrasz.

ButwhileRhoninhadoftenhadconfidenceinhismentor,hewonderedexactlywhattheredcould

possiblydoundertheseextremecircumstances.

“Rhonin!”
Vereesapointedatarockyformationjustahead…arockyformationthatwasinactualityabody.

ThetworantoIridi,certainthatshewasdead.

ButasVereesagentlyturnedherover,thedraeneiletoutalowmoan.Hereyesflutteredopen.
“Doesit…still…fly?”
Theyknewwhatshemeant.Vereesaanswered,“Themonsterstillflies,yes.”
“Twilight…dragon…that’swhatIcalledit…”Shecoughed.“Twilightofthe…dragons…ofall

Azeroth…”Iridicoughedagain.“Perhaps…”

Rhoninnoticedherhesitationonthelast.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Thestaff…itstillliesnearme?Ican’tfeelit,anymore.”Thedraeneigrimaced.“Imissthat.I

missthecloseness.”

Vereesalocatedthenaarucreation.“Hereitis.”
Iridimanagedtograspitwithonehand.Shelookedatthecrystal.Thedraeneigrimaced.Rhonin

startedtospeaktoher,butsuddenlythecrystalglimmered.

Thepriestessstaredathim.“There’ssomething…leftinit,butitreacts…reactstoyou,wizard…

thenaaru…haveyou…haveyoucommunedwiththembeforethis?”

Rhoningavebothherandhiswifeapuzzledlook.“I’veneverspokenwithoneofthem,ifthat’s

whatyoumean…”

“Yet…somethingdeepinthestaff…woke…somethingIcan’tsense…youaretouchedby

someone,ifnotthenaaru…I…wonder…perhapsthereissomething…please,canyou…canyouhelp

meup?”

Rhoninwasreluctant,butVereesaurgedhimtohelp.Withthepair’said,Iridimanagedtostand.
ThedraeneipointedatDargonax,whoatthemomenthoverednearSinestra,anewarrivaltothe

trio.

“Thisjustgetsbetter,”grumbledRhonin.“Vereesa,youstaywithher!I’vegottogoanddowhatI

canforhim—”

ButIridimanagedtotakeholdofhisarm.“Wait!Youcan’tgo!There’ssomething…youneedto

seeit…”

“Seewhat?”
“Lookthere!”thepriestesssuddenlycalled.
However,thewizardsawnothingsaveimpendingdoomforKorialstrasz.Helookedtothehigh

elf.

Withafrown,Vereesasaid,“Ithought—Ithoughtthatforamoment—thetwilightdragon

shimmered—”

“‘Shimmered’?”RhoningazedatDargonax.ToIridi,heasked,“Isthatsignificant?”
“P-praiseZzeraku…hedidmorethan…thanheimagined…”Thedraeneilookedgrim.Shewas

clearlydangerouslynearherend.“Itmaymeanoursalvation…oritmaynot…”

“Forthefinaltime,Sintharia,”Korialstraszbegan,purposelyusingthenamethattheblackdragon

nolongerdesired.“Iwarnyoutoreconsider—”

“Youaresimplylaughable,Korialstrasz!Indeed,thereisnomoreneedtotolerateyourexistence!

Dargonax….”

Thetwilightdragonlookedasifhewouldhavepreferredtodevourhiscreator,buthecertainly

hadnoqualmsanymoredoingthesametothered.Afterall,withhismistressguidingthematter,
DargonaxstoodtogainallthatwasKorialstrasz…andthusbecomeanevengreaterterrortoAzeroth.

ThatleftonlyaloneoptionforKorialstrasz…totakeDargonaxwithhim.
Ifthatwasatallpossible.
Theamethystleviathanfelluponthered—onlytobeunexpectedlystruckinthesidebyasleek,

blue-tintedform.

KalecandDargonaxexchangedfuriousroars.Thepairslashedandsnappedatoneanother.The

blueglowed,possiblyseekingtofurtherprotecthimselffromthetwilightdragonwithamagicalshield.

Butalthoughtheyoungerdragonfoughtzealously,Korialstraszcouldseehowweakhetrulywas.

ThatKalechadalsocomefromthesamedirectionasDeathwing’sconsortexplainedtotheredhowshe
hadbeenabletofeedDargonaxsomuchmorepowerwhenhehadbeenfightingagainstZzeraku.

KorialstraszknewthatheshouldtryforSintharia,buthecouldnotletKalecfightDargonaxalone.

Tornbetweenthetwochoices,hefinallythrewhimselfintothestrugglealongsidetheblue.

Hisinterventiononlymadethetwilightdragonlaugh.“Comethenbothofyoutome…Iwill

merelyfeastgreater…”

HeseizedKalecandthrewtheblueintoKorialstrasz.Theredcouldnotveeroutofthewayin

time.Thepaircollidedwithasoundlikeathunderclap.

Wastingnotime,Dargonaxbatteredthetangledpairwithhislongtail.Theamethystbeastthen

broughthistailtoKorialstrasz.Ashedid,thetwilightdragonturnedethereal.Dargonaxthrusthistail
throughthered—

Andturnedsolidagain.
Korialstraszbarelyrealizedintimewhathisfoeintended.Hetwistedinmid-air,seekingtoescape

thetail.

Hewasonlypartiallysuccessful.
Thereddragoncriedoutinpain.Alreadytwisting,herippedopenagapinhissidewherethetail

hadstuckin.

Asterribleastheagonywas,itsurelywouldhavebeenworseifnotforDargonaxquickly

revertingtoanincorporealform.Thetwilightdragonhadwantedtoslayhisadversary,butnotatthe
costofbeingdraggeddownwithhim.

Fromhismaw,Kalecunleashedabluecloud.Itenvelopedtheghostlygiant,thencrystallized

aroundhim.

Dargonaxbrieflywrithed,asiffreezingsolid.Then,theDevoureropenedhismouth—and

immediatelysuckedinthemagicthatKalechadunleashed.Thecloudvanished.

Ashefinishedswallowing,thetwilightdragonmomentarilyshimmered,thensolidifiedagain.At

thesametime,hecaughtastunnedKalechardinthesidewithonevastwing.

Thebluewenthurtlingdowntowardthelava.Korialstraszdoveafterhim,onlytobesnaggedfrom

behindbyDargonax’sclaws.

“YoufirstI’llfeedupon!”thegargantuanbeastdeclared.“ThenhisessencewillItake!Then…

thennothingwilltherebeaspowerful!”

“There—therewillalwaysbeher!”Korialstraszremindedhim.
HesensedDargonax’sireriseatmentionofhiscreator.“Therewillcomeaday…”thetwilight

dragonmurmuredbetweenthem.“Therewillcomeaday…shemademetoogreattobeherslave…Iam
destinedtoruleall….”

“Untilshecreatesmore…”
“Shenolongercan!Theeggsaredestroyed!”
“Sheprotectedthem!Youknowshewould!”
Dargonaxshook.HethrewKorialstraszfromhim,shoutingout,“Isaveyouforlast!Theblue’s

magicI’lltastefirst!”

Asthereddragonsoughttorecover,DargonaxdovedowninthedirectionofKalec…but

Korialstraszknewthatthemonsterwasnotactuallypursuingtheblue,whohoveredweaklyoverthe
burningmount.

Andtoverifythatbelief,Dargonaxbecameincorporealagain.
ButjustashewasabouttoreachKalec—andcontinueonthroughhim,Korialstraszwascertain—

agoldenglowsurroundedthetwilightdragon.

Dargonaxstruggled,butcouldgonofarther.Hetwistedaroundtofacehiscreator.
“Donotbeabadchild,”Sinthariaintoned,holdinghightheshardoftheDemonSoul.“Ihavehad

enoughbadchildren….”TheblackdragonthrustaclaweddigitatKorialstrasz.“Thisonefirst!Asfor
theother…”SheglancedatKalec,whohadcrash-landednearthebaseofGrimBatol.“Theremaybe
somepickingsleftonhiscorpsebythetimeyouarethroughwiththered….”

“Yesss,Mother…”Andwiththegoldenglowstillsurroundinghim—nodoubt,Korialstrasz

believed,todiscourageanyfurtherrebellion—Dargonaxchargedthered.

“Therewill…be…be…onlyonechance,”Iridimanaged.Shelookedtothehighelf.“You’re

certainofwhathappened?”

Therangernodded.“Isawithappen.”
“Then,wemusttrynow.”Thedraeneisoughttostandonherown,aquestionablepropositionat

first.

RhoninandVereesaexchangedglancesbehindthepriestess.“Iridi,whatdoyouintend?”
“Iknowhowto…howtoguidethestaff…but…butI’venothingleft…togive…”Thedraenei

peeredatthefaintglowfromthecrystal.“Butyou…youmightbeabletoprovidethepower….”

“Ifitcanstopthatthing,you’llhaveeverythingIcangive—”
“Beware!”Vereesainterrupted.“Shesendsthebeastathimagain!”
Iridiimmediatelysteppedforwardandthrustthestaffinthedirectionofthebattlingdragons.She

wobbledforamoment,thenmurmuredtoherself,“Imadeavow.”Tothewizard,shegasped,“Ineed
you…now…”

Rhoninsteppedupbesideherandplacedahandonthestaff.Thecrystalflaredasbrightasitever

had.

Thedraeneifocused…andprayed.

DargonaxagaintoreintoKorialstrasz.Theredtriedtofendhimoff,butsomanyeventshad

workedtoweakenhim,andthetwilightdragonwasathispeak.

Then,therecamefromSinthariaamaddenedshriek.AgreatburstoflightenvelopedKorialstrasz

andDargonax.

Andthetwilightdragonswelledtoevenmoregrotesqueproportions.
“Yesss!”Dargonaxcried.Thetwilightdragonletoutaroarofpleasure.
HethrewastartledKorialstraszback…andturneduponhismaker.Evenashedid,hecontinuedto

swell.

Korialstraszfoughttostayaloft.HeglancedatSintharia.
Herhandwasburntbadly,anotheradditiontohermacabrebeauty.Yet,theblackdragonclutched

tightwhatsoburnedher…theshard.ItwasalsowhatfedDargonaxmoreandmorepower….

No!Korialstraszthought.Dotheynotknowwhattheyaredoing?Helookeddownatthesourceof

theenergiesflowingthroughtheshardintothetwilightdragon.

Iridi…withRhoninbesideher.Hewasthesourceoftheenergynowpoweringthestaff.Rhonin

shouldhaveatleastknownbetterwhatwouldhappen.Whywouldthey—

“No!”Sinthariashoutedtothesky.“Iwillnotgiveitup!”
HelookedbackattheblackdragonandsawthatherclenchedpawwasstrainingtowardDargonax,

asifshe—orratherit—soughtdesperatelytojointheamethystjuggernaut.

AndsuddenlyKorialstraszunderstoodwhattheothershopedtodo.Theyweremakinguseofthe

sameaberrationhehadsensedintheotherdragon.

Dargonaxconvergedonhiscreator…butseemedtobecaughtattheendofaninvisibleleashonly

afewscantyards.Thebehemothstrained,butcouldnotgoanyfarther.

Itisbecauseshestillwieldstheshard…alwaysbecauseshewieldstheshard…
Disregardingtheconsequencestohimself,thereddragonpushedwithallhismighttodowhat

Dargonaxcouldnot…reachSintharia.

HisplanwouldhavebeencertaintofailifnotforDargonaxsonearandtheshardcontinuingto

scorchtheblackdragon’spaw.Deathwing’sconsorthadeyesonlyforthosetwosituations,nothingelse.
Solongasshehadmasteryoverthetwilightdragon,thefateofallelsewasliterallyinherhand.

Korialstraszcameupfromunderher,hissnoutaimingforherpaw.Sintharianoticedhimatthe

lastmoment,butherreactionwastooslow.

Withalltheforcehecouldmuster,thereddragonbarreledintoher,takingspecialaimforthepaw.

Hissnoutslammedintotheunderside.

Alreadystraining,Sinthariacouldnotmaintainhergrip.TheloneshardfromtheDemonSoulflew

outofherhand…andwithastoundingspeedandaccuracy,drovestraightintothemawofDargonax.

“Youfool!”shegrowledatKorialstrasz.Hertailwrappedaroundthebaseofhisthroat.Thesharp

scalesdugindeepasthemusculartail—fueledalsobyherinsanefury—threatenedtocrushinhisneck.
“Iwilltearyourheadoff!”

“No…Iwilltearyours…”saidthetwilightdragon’svoice.
Nolongerrestrained,themonstrousdragonattackedher.Sintharia’seyeswidenedindisbeliefand

evenasDargonaxseizedher,sheroaredback,“Youaremine!Ibirthedyou!Youwillobey!”

Theamethystbeast’seyesnarroweddangerously.“Iobeynoonebutmyself…IamDargonax,the

Devourerofall,includingyou….”

Hetoreathermid-sectionwithhisfearsomeclaws,nowtwiceasgreatashers.Sinthariashrieked

anewasscaleandfleshwentflying.Yet,sheshowednofear,onlyfury,andspewedforthfromher
gulletatorrentofmoltenlavathatmatchedinintensitythatstillburstingbelow.

Dargonaxturnedethereal,butnotbeforebeingslightlyburned.Still,heignoredhiswounds,so

eagerwashetoclaimthelifeofhishatedcreator.

Korialstrasz,meanwhile,wonderedwhytheothersdidnotfinishwhattheysurelyknewwasnot

complete.Glancingdown,hesawintheeruption’slightthatthedraenei,clearlytheguide,wasonher
knees.Rhonin,too,lookedweak.

Crawlingtowardthemwasanotherfigure,thebluedragon.Kalecclearlyunderstoodwhat

Korialstraszdid,butweakashewas,itwaspossiblethathewouldnothavethewilltosuccessfullyhelp
theothers.

Thereddoveasswiftlyashecould.Justbeforehewouldhavecrashed,Korialstraszpulledup.As

helanded,hetransformedintoamorepracticalform,thatofKrasus.

AndasKrasus,hehelpedachangingKalectoRhoninandIridi.Vereesastoodwithbothher

husbandandthedraenei,keepingthemfromlosingtheirgrips.

“It—itmustbedestroyed—”thepriestessdeclaredtoKrasusandKalec,notneedingtoexplain

justwhat“it”was.“Wemust…wemustfocusontheweakness…Zzerakucreated!Iwillguide…guide
allthepower!Butyoumustgivemewhateveryoucan!”

Krasusunderstoodwhattheflowoftheircombinedenergieswasdoingtoher,asdidKalec.The

bluehesitated.“No!Iwon’t—”

Iridistaredathim.“Youmust!”
Thedragonmagetooktheblue’shandandguidedittothestaff.Thefourgrippedthenaarugift

tight,withVereesanowhelpingIriditokeepthestaffpointedwhereitmust.

“Letthis…bedone,”thedraeneicommanded.
Thestaff’sglowsurroundedallofthem.Krasus,Rhonin,andKalecgrunted.Iridimadenosound.
Agreatstreamofenergyshotupintotheair…butthistimeitstruckDargonax.
AsKrasusstrained,heknewthattheknowledgeonwhichthisdesperateplanwasbasedwasdue

inparttoVereesa.ShehadseenthepowerofZendarin’sstaffdestroytheindestructible.Whywouldthe
sameprinciplenotholdtruenow,evenwiththeshardsafely—sothetwilightdragonbelieved—inhis
gullet?

ButithadtobeinsideDargonaxforwhattheywanted,nowhereelse.
“Heshimmeredagain!”Vereesacalled.“Doesthatmean—?”
“Itmeansnothingforusunlesstheshardisalsodestroyed!”Rhoninresponded.
Dargonaxsuddenlytwisted.Hisbodyshookandbrieflylostcohesion.Hewasapparentlytryingto

divesthimselfofwhatpainedhim.

Andthen…abriefgoldenexplosionburstthroughDargonax’sbody.Thetwilightdragonbellowed.

HeforgotSinthariaandlookedtotheground.

Withoutaword,Krasusleaptfromthegroup,changingassoonashewasfarenoughawayfrom

theothers.AsKorialstrasz,heracedintothesky.Now,morethanever,hedarednotletthemonster
reachtheothers.

Dargonaxshimmered.Hevisiblyconcentrated,pullinghimselftogether.Thetwilightdragoneyed

Korialstraszwithvenom.

“You…Iwillfeedonyouslowly,enjoyingyourtorment—”
Korialstraszcuthimoff.“Sheisescapingyou!”
Dargonax’sreactionwasimmediate.HeturnedbacktothedepartingSintharia—andshimmered

again.

“Whatis—”ThegargantuanfiendglancedbackatKorialstrasz,whostareddeterminedlyback.
Withamadroar,Dargonaxglaredatthereddragon…thenswoopedafterSintharia.
Herwoundslowedhertoomuch.Deathwing’sconsortmanagedtoflyaboveGrimBatol,butgot

nofartherbeforeDargonaxcaughtheragain.

“Releaseme!”theblackdragondemanded.“Release—”
Dargonaxclampedhisclawsontohertorsoandwings.Thetwilightdragonshimmeredagainand

ashedid,Sintharia’sexpressionbecameoneofdread.

“Releaseme!I—”
ButtheDevoureronlylaugheddarkly.“Atlast!”heshouted.“AtlastIamfreeofyou—”
Dargonaxshimmeredoncemore.Hegrewasbrightasthesun.
ThepowerthathecontainedburnedbothhimandSinthariaaway.
ThelastshardoftheDemonSoulhadfedhim,but,oncedestroyedwithin,ithadsetlooseachain

reactionthatfedtheslightinstabilitythatDargonaxhadsharedwithhistwinpredecessorsbutthat
wouldnothaveotherwiseprovenasfatalaswiththepair.

Sinthariamanagedamutedroar,onethatdidnothintoffear,butanger.Korialstraszcouldalmost

swearthatherlastglancewasathim,butitmighthaveonlybeenatrickoftheflickeringlightfromthe
eruptionbelow.

Andashethoughtofthateruption,thereddragonsawwithdisbelieftheflowrecedeasifsome

greatforcesuckeditbackintothedepthsofthemount.Wherevertherewasacrevasseorsomeother
openingthroughwhichithadoriginallyflowed,themoltenriversreturned.

Theeruptionwasstirredbyherpower….Withouther,itisreceding,foritshouldhaveneverbeen

inthefirstplace.Themagicoftheblackdragonflightamazedthereddragonandheyearnedfortheera
whenoncethatflighthadbeenfriendsandallies,notathreat.

Butthatdayhaslongpast.Indeed,weareinsomewaysverymuchintothenightforourkind….
Shakingoffsuchthoughts,Korialstraszbanked.Hedescendedtotheothers…andasheneared,the

reddragonsawwhathehadfearedmighthappen.

Theotherssurroundedthedraenei,wholayonherback.Thepriestessstillclutchedthestaff,

whichglowedeversofaintly,thoughfromwhatsourcenow,thedescendingKorialstraszcouldnotsay.

Kalecleanedoverher,thebluerunninghishandsaboveherfaceandheart.Helookedupsetandas

KorialstrasztransformedintoKrasus,thebluemutteredaname.Anveena.

ThedragonmageimmediatelytouchedKalec’sshoulder,whispering,“Iamsorry.Whatshedid

once,shecandonomore.Now,Anveenaiswithyoualone.”

“I’dratherthatshecouldsaveIridi—”
“Fateapparentlysaysotherwise….”
ThedraeneimusthaveheardKrasus’svoiceeventhoughhetriedtobequiet.Hereyesopenedand

turnedtohim.

“It—it’sover?”
“Yes,Iridi,”Krasusresponded,kneelingbyherside.“Hush.ThereisachancethatifItakeyou

withmenow,myqueencansaveyou—”

Shecoughed.“No…my…myquest…itendshere…”Thepriestesssmiled.“WithZzeraku…praise

betohispartinendingthis….”Anothercoughfollowed,thisoneharsher.“Azeroth…Azerothisa
worldof…ofmarvels…butImiss…IfindImissOutland…evenwith…evenwithsomuchstruggle…
there…Iwish…IwishIcould…”

Shetrailedoff.Herheadfelltotheside,theeyesstillopen.Hergriponthestafffailed.
Thenaaru’sgiftrolledawaywithaclatter,thelastofitslightgoneforever.Vereesastartedforit,

onlytohavethestaffshrivelasifalivingthingsuddenlydesiccated.Inmeremoments,therewas
nothingleftbutagray,powderypilevaguelyshapedliketheoriginalstaff.

Thefourstoodquietforamoment,honoringthedraeneiforhersacrifice.
“Shallweburyherhere?”askedRhonin,finallybreakingthesilence.
Kalecreachedforthebody.Hisvoiceshaking,hesaid,“No.I’lltakeherthere.Shedeservesthat.”
Krasusknewexactlywhereheintendedtogo.“Isthatwise?WillyoubepermittedbyMalygos?”
“Permittedornotbymylord,I’lltakehertoOutland.That’swhatshewanted.”CarryingIridiin

hisarms,thebluetransformed.Ashestretchedhiswings,hebowedhisheadtoRhoninandVereesa.
“I’mhonoredtohavemetyouboth…andammorethanalittleenvious.”ToKrasus,theblueadded,“I
understandyoubetternow.Idon’tagreewithallyoudo,butIunderstandwhyyoudoit….”

Krasusbowedbacktothebluedragon.“Shewillalwaysbeproudofyou,Kalecgos.”
“IstillpreferKalec.ShepreferredKalec.”
“Then,fareyouwell,Kalec…andthankyouforwhatyouhavedone….”
Thebluedragonroseintothedarksky.Kaleccircledovertheotherthreeforamoment,then

headedinthedirectionthatKrasusknewwouldeventuallyleadhimtotheportaltoOutland.

Atthatmoment,theywereapproachedbyGrendaandsomeofherwarriors.Shesalutedthetrio

withherax.“I’veaccountedforeveryone.”ToRhonin,thefemaledwarfhesitantlyadded,“Asforthe
raptors…Idon’tknowabout’em.”

Rhoninchuckled.“I’lldealwiththatsituation.WiththingscalmingdownaroundGrimBatol,they

shouldbehappytoremainaroundRaptorRidgeandnotencroachonMenethilHarbor.Keepapartand
thingsshouldbecalmer.”

Grendasnorted.“Don’tknowhowwellthat’llactuallywork…andisthatdamnedmountreally

calmfinally?Haveweseenthelastofitsevil?”

“Thatshallremaintobeseen,”Krasusinterjected.“Butforthemoment,atleastthedreamsof

Deathwingareatanend.WhenSinthariaperished,thespellsprotectingthechamberoftheeggswould
havefailed.Therecedingflowwillhavedestroyedthem.”

“Thenourmission’sdone,”Grendadecided.Withaslighthesitation,sheadded,“Weheadbackto

ourpeoplecomemorning,theretoreporttothekingandtohonorourdead…especiallyRom.”

Krasusfrowned.“Tellyourkingthattheredflightwillalsohonoryourfallenwarriors,including

mycomradeofold.”

Shebrightened.“Thatwillmeanmuchforhismemory….”
ThedragonmageturnedtoRhoninandVereesa.“Youwouldbewithyourchildrenassoonas

possible,wouldyounot?”

Thewizardandhighelfnodded.“We’llrestuntilmorning,”Rhoninreplied,“thenIshouldbeable

tobringusbackthere…andspendalittletimebeforeIneedtoreturntoDalaran.”

Thered-hairedspellcastersaidnothingmoreandhisexpressionindicatedthatKrasuswouldhear

nothingfromhimastowhatwasbeingplannedintheshieldedcity.

“Yourlivesandyourchoicesareyours,”hetoldthecouple,butespeciallyRhonin.“Iamonly

gratefulforyouraidhereand…andforyourcontinuedfriendship.”

“Youwillalwayshavethat,”Vereesasaid.
Krasuspulledhimselftogetherforonemorespell.“Andasafriend,allowmethis…”
Thewizardandthehighelfvanished.
“Theyarehomewiththeirchildren,”thedragonmagerespondedtoGrenda’sdumbfounded

expression.“Imaybeabletosendsomeofyourpeopleinsuchamannerifgiventimetorecuperate—”

Butthedwarvesallshooktheirheads.Withananxiousgrin,theirleaderanswered,“Ifit’sallthe

sametoyou,greatone,weoftheearthfolkprefersolidfootin’underus!”

Thatmadehimsmile.“Ofcourse.Thegroundistoyouastheskyistome.Iunderstandvery

much.”HesteppedbackfromGrenda.“Ileaveyou,then.Mayyouraxesbesharpandyourtunnels
strong….”

TheBronzebeardswentdownononekneeasKrasusagainchangedintohistrueform.As

Korialstrasz,hedippedhisheadinhomagetothedwarves’owndeeds,thenleaptintothesky.

Oncethere,KorialstraszarcednotawayfromGrimBatol,buttowardit.Hepassedoverthe

damagedmount,marvelingthat,despiteSintharia’seruption,frombeyonditswallsGrimBatollooked
moreorlessasitalwayshad.

Itperseveres,thisplace.Italwaysperseveres.
Heconcentratedasbesthecould,seekingtoassurehimselfthatwhathehadtoldtheotherswas

true.KorialstraszsurveyedasmuchofGrimBatol’sinterioraspossible,sensingonlyemptinessand
thatsameresidualevilthathadpermeateditforcenturies.

Andoftheareawherethechamberoftheeggswouldhavebeenlocated,thereddragonsensed

utterruination.Ashehadsaid,withoutSintharia,ithadnolongerbeenprotected.Perhapsaneggortwo
hadsurvivedthedestruction,buteventhemyatiscoatinghehadseenonthemwouldnotbeenough.
Dargonaxwasthelastofthetwilightdragons.

Korialstraszturnedinthedirectionofhome.He,too,missedhisfamily.Itwastimetoreturnthere

forawhilebeforeagainrenewinghiseternalvigiloverAzeroth….

Andbehindhim,GrimBatolsatassilentandasstill…asdeath.

Yetfar,farbelowthedreadmount—deeperthanevenSinthariahadevergone—itwasnot

completelystill.Inthesunlesscavern,ahugeformfinallymovedabout.Theintruderswereallgone.It
wassafetobegin.

AroundhimweregatheredtheeggsthatSinthariahadthoughtsealedinherspecialcavernandthat

theaccursedreddragonbelievedwerenowdestroyed.Thereweremanyplacestostorethemdown
here,manyplacestokeepthemviableuntilthingswereready.

Youwereausefulpuppetforatime,hethoughtofSintharia.Youweresoeasilydrawnhere,tothis

ofallplaces,andmadeeagertofulfilladreamyouthoughtyourown!Envyandhatredmadeyoumy
greatesttool,yes…andfromyourmistakes,Inowknowbetterwhattodo….

Deathwinglaughed,theonlymourninghewoulddoforhisformermate.Shehadbeen

manipulatedwell,evenindealingwiththedamnableKorialstrasz,withwhomtherewouldyetbea
reckoning.

Dismissinghisancientadversary,themadEarth-Wardereagerlytoyedwithoneoftheeggs.

Dargonaxhadbeenaflawedbutquiteinterestingcreation.Deathwing’sconsorthadchosenan
interestingpathwithherexperiments.However,heunderstoodwhereSinthariahadgonewrong.His
twilightdragons—soappropriateaname,hethoughtandthankedthevoiceshehadheardechoittohim
—wouldbeperfect.Theywouldbehim.

AndsinceeveryoneassumedtheEarth-Warderdead,Deathwinghadallthetimeintheworldin

whichto“hatch”hisgranddesign…allthetimehewouldneedtoerasetheblundersofhischildrenand
hismateandensurethatnoone,noteven—notevenKorialstrasz—wouldunderstandwhatwas
happeninguntilitwasfar,fartoolate.

Thedayofthedragonisover,Deathwingthoughttohimselfwithanticipationfortheimminent

future.ItsnightisalmostuponAzeroth…andafterthatnighthassweptawaytheoldflights…thereshall
comeanewdawn…

Thedawnofmynewworld…

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

ichardA.KnaakistheNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorofsomefortynovelsandnumerousshort

stories,includingsuchseriesasWarcraft,Diablo,Dragonlance,AgeofConan,andhisown
Dragonrealm.HehasalsoscriptedanumberofmangasforWarcraft,includingthetop-sellingSunwell
trilogyforTokyopop,andhasalsowrittenbackgroundmaterialforgames.Hisworkshavebeen
publishedworldwide.

Currently,heisatworkonhisnextWarcraftnovel,finishingupTheGargoyleKing—thethirdin

hisOgreTitanstrilogyforDragonlance—andwritingthefirstvolumeoftheDragonsofOutlandsaga
forBlizzardandTokyopop.SomeotherprojectsincludeadaptingsomeofhisDragonlanceshortfiction
forthenewD&Dcomic,morebackgroundwork,returningtoDiablo,andpenningseveralshorter
piecesforotherWarcraftmanga.Heisalsoatworkonprojectstobenamedlater.

CurrentlysplittinghistimebetweenChicagoandArkansas,hecanbereachedthroughhiswebsite

atwww.richardaknaak.com.Whileheisunabletorespondtoallhise-mail,hetriestoreaditall.You
canjoinhismailinglistonhiswebsitefore-announcementsofupcomingreleasesandappearances.

Document Outline

COVER
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wyszukiwarka

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