A Dragon Problem (WIP SNIP)

"The Xerthians have engaged," I said.

Guntram nodded. "Good tidings. Has Fritjof shown himself yet?"

"Not so far."

"He's probably hiding in his capitol."

"I don't think so," said Kira. "He'll want to be somewhere he can watch Basalt."

"Are the Drakkari in position yet?"

Soon. Amber reports that one egg is out of position.

"Out of position? What do you mean?"

The team that was following it says it teleported.

"Fritjof," said Kira. "It has to be. Which egg?"

Auric. He is close. The Betrayer has him!

"Can you find out where he is, exactly?"

Surrounded by archers. They seem to be the ones Father warned us about. Yes! Father confirms! The Betrayer uses eggs to give orders. He can't hear, but he knows that Father can hear us.

"We can't initiate the rescue as long as Fritjof has an egg," said Kira. "Where is he?"

North. Two miles. There's a valley, with many trees. The archers hide in the trees.

"Sure, so they can shoot the dragons when they fly overhead. And it'll be hard to sneak up on them."

Brother King Rex!

"Tungsten?"

We hear. Basalt hears. Initiate the rescue. If the Betrayer bears only one egg, it will profit him only slightly more than having none at all.

"But what about Auric?"

Auric is with the Betrayer, yes?

"Yes."

And the Betrayer is at the center of the dragon trap?

"Tungsten, what are you proposing?"

As soon as the rest of the children are safe, We will follow Basalt into the trap. The valley will burn, and the Betrayer with it.

"But the archers!"

They will shoot at us. Perhaps they will hit us. The drug will weaken us, perhaps kill us, but not fast enough to save their own lives.

"Tungsten, no!"

I have said my goodbyes to brother Enoch. He agrees this is the only way. Jasper's Drakkari have died long ago. The Great Mother grieves, but she blesses us. The archers will probably not shoot Basalt. They think the Betrayer controls him. Initiate the rescue.

"You are the bravest of dragons." I closed my eyes and sighed hard. "Diamante, tell them to begin."