Page 239 of Of Empires and Dust

“Am I not always?”

“As much as the sun is cold.” She ran her thumb across Salara’s cheek. “Patience,” she whispered as she ushered Salara towards Vandrien.

Salara stepped up beside the queen, drawing in a slow breath and exhaling as she watched the sunlight spill over the city. They stood there in silence for a time until Salara spoke. “I assume, judging by how firmly Ervian cautioned me towards patience, that we are to remain here for some time longer?”

“Wheels are in motion, Salara. This war will not be won in a day. Nor a week, nor a month, nor a year. The first phase of our plan succeeded. We have reclaimed Cuinviel, and Visenn and Falisín set fire to Aonar and its ports. The mines still stand, but the Lorian’s gold will not be moving any time soon.”

“All at great cost.” Salara’s thoughts drifted to Irulaian and Dravír, and to Olmaír Moridain.

“At immeasurable cost,” Vandrien agreed. “Do not think I weigh those lives lightly, Salara.”

“I know you do not… I know.”

“Our plan to take the city was a success. But I am more than certain we will not find the same success twice. We are in the heart of Loria now. The only thing that keeps Fane, Eltoar, andthe Uraks from burning this place to the ground are you and the dragons. Each step we take from here must be careful and planned. There is no room for error anymore. No forgiveness for mistakes. We must be patient.”

“I’ve sat on my hands for the better part of four hundred years… I had thought now was finally the time for action. We have them on their heels. The Uraks press them from all sides, and the South is in full rebellion. Now is the time to pull the blade across their throat, Vandrien, not step back and let them fortify their position.”

Vandrien looked to Salara, an unreadable expression on her face. She held the silence for a few moments. “Did I say you must sit on your hands?” A grin stretched her lips. “I said there is no room for error. That we must be patient. Not that we must do nothing.”

“My queen?”

“A Lorian force marches east from Berona.”

Salara straightened. “What would you have us do?”

The queen raised an eyebrow.

“Patience,” Salara whispered.

“Patience.” Vandrien looked back out the arched window at the city beyond. “We wish to build a nation that stands for millennia. And so what is a few days? I told you we would have vengeance and that you would be the tip of our spear. Have I spoken a word of a lie?”

“You have not.”

“We will let the Lorians march, wait until they reveal their desires. And then we will act accordingly. The time will soon come where you will face Eltoar Daethana and Helios in the sky. The stars demand it. And when that day comes, Salara, you will emerge victorious, and dragon will fight dragon for the last time. Perhaps your presence will draw him from Elkenrim. And if it does, the city will be ripe for the taking, as will Berona. I havesent word to our forces in the east to be ready. And the seeds we have planted have both grown and flowered. King Hoffnar of the Lodhar dwarves proceeds as planned. Patience, Salara, is an attribute all predators share. Soon the black lion will die on its back, the jaws of a dragon around its throat.”

“I am yours, Myia’nari. I should not have questioned.”

“Always question, Salara, lest my pride swallow me whole. Luilin asked that you pay a visit to the Onarakina on your return. They struggle. I wish you to ease that struggle while your patience thins.”

“As you command, my queen.”

“I do not command it. But I ask.”

Salara smiled as she inclined her head. She dropped so that her right knee hovered just off the ground. “Myia’nari.”

Chapter 54

Purpose

18thDay of the Blood Moon

Cuinviel, formerly Catagan – Winter, Year 3081 After Doom

Vyrmíralighted in the centre of a massive yard at the city’s western edge, Baerys and Nymaxes beside him. It was here that Warmarshal Luilin trained the Onarakina in warcraft and other matters.

At the sight of the three dragons, every soul in the yard ceased whatever they were doing and stared in awe. The Onarakina in particular watched slack-jawed and wide eyed, pressing their hands to their hearts in reverence.

As Salara slid from Vyrmír’s back and landed with the aid of thin threads of Air, Luilin and Captain Undrír approached while the other elves tried and failed to persuade the Onarakina to return to their previous tasks. Instruments were scattered about the yard among sheafs of paper, inkwells, paint palettes, hammers, chisels, and all manner of things.

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