Page 4 of The Arrival of the Dragons

Iolaire brought Illarion nearer to their face and allowed some ice breath to trickle out from between their teeth. The mist curled around Illarion. He glared, but stopped swearing at them.

“Release me,” Illarion hissed again.

But Iolaire shook its head. This caused Illarion to struggle in Iolaire’s claws, which was stupid. He would fall unless he could transform back into his Dragon shape in time before he hit the ground.

Cannot shift until I let him,Iolaire told Caden.

Holy… really? You can do that?

We can do this. Yes,Iolaire answered simply.

Even though Valerius hadn’t been affected by the call in the same way, he wasn’t looking much happier. His eyes were still a sulfurous red. Caden reached for his mind, and this time, he could actually talk to him.

What is the meaning of this, Caden?Valerius asked. He could hear Raziel in his tone.

Are you okay? How’s your wing?Caden asked, deflecting the answer, because he wasn’t sure what the answer was, and he was worried about that wing, though it looked completely healed.

My wing… My wing is fine.Valerius sounded calmer as he heard the concern in Caden’s voice.But there are things of greater import. How… How did you do this?

I don’t know. I have no idea. Iolaire just did it!

Caden looked down at the struggling Illarion. He was trying to break out of the White Dragon’s grasp and shift. He could accomplish neither.

This is quite the trick. The Black Dragon’s eyes narrowed.A useful and dangerous trick. How long can you keep Illarion like this?

Let me ask.Caden turned his attention to Iolaire.How long can you keep him in human form?

Iolaire sent him the image of day turning to night. But then Iolaire showed him that it could make that time less if it wanted.

It looks like this can last a whole day, but Iolaire can release him anytime before that,Caden told Valerius.

Could he do that to any Dragon?Valerius asked speculatively.

All but Black Dragon. Black Dragon too strong to make shift. Besides, Iolaire did not want to hurt,Iolaire suddenly said.

Did you hear that, Valerius?Caden asked.

I did. I felt the power of Iolaire’s call, but resisted it,Valerius said.

Raziel spoke then,Iolaire is not as defenseless as we thought. Brave little Dragon.

The White Dragon tipped its head back, and Caden laughed. Iolaire was preening under Raziel’s appreciative gaze.

Are you okay with what we did, Valerius?Caden asked tentatively. He expected Valerius and Raziel to be furious.I know that you can handle him, but things were getting sort of heated.

At first, Valerius did not answer. Caden could almost feel Raziel waiting for the Dragon King to speak first.

I was not pleased… at first,Valerius admitted.The shock of it was something but I am glad you did this. I was losing my temper. Once he struck me--

You had to respond in kind. And he’s big enough that you had to really take him down,Caden agreed.So this was good?

The Black Dragon seemed to smile.Yes, Caden, you and Iolaire did very well. It makes me curious what else you can do.

Me, too!Caden admitted.

Iolaire was still preening and showing off for Raziel, who was giving many admiring glances.

Come, let us take Illarion down to High Reach,Valerius said.I would speak to this fool.

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