Page 7
“Your family has our trust,” Lord Hairong assures him. “You did well, Dian, bringing the Sun Dragon and your sister back.”
“It was my sister who rescued the dragon and helped us escape,” Dian replies.
Lady Shila inclines her head. “You are both your mother’s daughters indeed. She was brave, resourceful, strong, and selfless. She is missed.”
Emotions entwine and collide: of grief at being confronted with all I’ve lost, of relief to be among those who know my parents and care for them, to be accepted by my people. A deep joy pierces the shell around my heart, the one I built to keep myself from getting hurt… that I’m beginning to hope I no longer need.
“I wish I could remember my mother,” I say hoarsely, feeling more at ease here than I ever imagined. “I wish I remembered all of you.”
“I wish that too.” My father dabs his eyes with his sleeve. “But we will help you, Dian and I.”
Silence falls, my sister wiping her own eyes, the three Elders looking at us with compassion. “Who looked after you in the Iron Mountains?” Lady Shila asks.
I recount how I grew up with my aunt and uncle, choosing not to dwell on Mistress Henglan and the hardship endured under her care.
My father’s face darkens. “This uncle and aunt you claim—they aren’t your family. You were stolen from us, hidden away.”
“Not by them,” I reply. “They took me in, looked after me when no one else did, when I was alone in the world. I am grateful to them.”
After several more questions about my past, the Iron Mountains, and the Palace of Nine Hills, I am drooping where I stand, my mind wrung dry. Lord Hairong clears his throat. “You must be exhausted. If anything else of importance surfaces, inform your father, who will share it with us. But now, we must think of the Sun Dragon’s well-being. How did you retrieve him? The previous reports from Thorn Valley claimed he was lost.”
“Maybe they did not look hard enough,” Lord Zhu says. “Thorn Valley has always envied our island and magic. They blame us for the supposed decay of their land.”
“The younger lord is known to be ambitious and cunning,” Lord Hairong adds speculatively. “Some suspect Lord Jin-Yong of betraying us to the Iron Mountains.”
The urge to defend him rises, despite my anger at him. “I met Lord Jin-Yong in the Palace of Nine Hills. He was searching for the Sun Dragon and sought my aid before knowing who I was. After Dian and I were captured, it was the Lord of Thorn Valley who helped us and the dragon escape.” I stop there, concealing the depth of our association. The Elders clearly distrust him.
“Did you not hear of our capture?” Dian asks them, her voice catching.
“We received news,” Lady Shila replies gravely. “We were planning to aid you when Thorn Valley acted recklessly, sending disguised troops across the border and jeopardizing the safety of our realm. Their role as the false ally of the Iron Mountains is crucial to protecting us.”
“Yet we are thankful that both of you and the Sun Dragon are safe,” Lord Hairong says. “Though Thorn Valley made a perilous decision, it was the right one.”
“Who is the new Queen of the Iron Mountains?” Lord Zhu asks.
“The prince’s sister seized the throne. We escaped during the chaos,” Dian explains. “She has three pieces of starfire and merged them using the Sun Dragon’s blood.”
Gasps rise around the pavilion, Mistress Weining’s hands flying to her face as the soldiers grip their weapons in fury.
“A vile act,” Lord Hairong seethes. “To hurt the dragon, to use his power for such abomination.”
“Little wonder he is so weak,” cries Mistress Weining.
“The queen cannot be allowed to gather more of the starfire,” Lord Zhu declares. “What do we know of the rest of the pieces?”
“One is said to be with the Duke of the Amber Forest, the other with the Lady of the Pearl Ocean,” Lady Shila replies. “The last is lost.”
“We retrieved a piece of the starfire.” Dian plucks it out from her pouch, holding it up. “This belonged to Lady Ruilin of the Amber Forest, who is waiting outside. I promised her sanctuary here.”
“Do you vouch for this stranger?” Lord Hairong asks intently.
“With my life,” Dian replies.
“Then she is welcome,” Lady Shila replies. “We thank her for the starfire.”
“Because of all of you, our island is safer,” Lord Hairong says with a smile.
As Dian hands the starfire to Lady Shila, I quell an involuntary pang. “Where will the starfire be kept?” Silence settles, Father scowling at me. I hastily add, “The queen will be searching for it. We should ensure it is well protected.”
