PEOPLE LOOKED TO Bert and Cat as if they had gone crazy. Perhaps they had. A princess without a kingdom and no military backing. Some servant boy blowing a whistle that made no sound. They had been in a heavy, serious discussion. The decision made here would place a city and perhaps a country on the edge of war, and their answer to a question of allies had been to blow some whistle…

  “Catrin, dear, who is this servant, and why is he blowing a whistle? What can you possibly mean by all this?” King Rowan looked more confused than ever.

  Cat smiled, happy to have taken some control back. The queen had been in full command of the discussion, but now Cat had everyone focused on her and what she would do next. “Queen Aldera rightly asks how we hope to build enough of a force to be taken seriously. As I have said, our allies to the north work non-stop to spread the word of what is truly happening and gather people to their banners. I hope we can add the power of Keelwick to that strength. Even as depleted as you stand, having allies on both sides of the border will be the key to gathering more. Next, I hope to convince my father and bring Wyrmgate and the surrounding area to our cause. I imagine that there are many communities like Keelwick who have been questioning what has been happening, and just waiting for something to push them into action.” She looked to the court still watching on. “All we need to create is a spark. Something to get the attention of the world and rally to our cause. I am positive that once we start down this road, we will learn many things that convince others our cause is just and the desires of this group of evil men—Eels, Crows and whatever else—are not the desires of the common and good people.” She paused, listening quietly.

  Bert smiled, thinking he heard what she did. Wings flapping at full speed.

  “You ask for allies?” Cat said smiling. “I offer you the man who bridged the alliance between our people and the Wyrm People. Indeed, he bridged an alliance and partnership between humans and dragons. With me is not a servant following in my wake to protect me from cutpurses. With me is Bertram Dragontongue.” She stopped as all eyes turned to Bert, whispers picking up in the court. Even the queen looking surprised, her eyes widening. Bert looked to see how Grahame Eel reacted, but the man had vanished during the conversation at some point. “And with the Wyrm People, and with Bertram Dragontongue of Wyrmgate comes…” she took Bert by the hand and helped him to stand on the ledge of the balcony.

  Bert looked down, and felt his stomach rumble. He knew what Cat wanted…knew that she needed it. So, he took and breath and closed his eyes, holding tightly to her hand. He hoped he didn’t look like a coward, but he felt like one.

  “Dragons!” Cat shouted. She tapped on Bert’s hand with a finger, but to her credit, did not let go.

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  To his own surprise, Bert took the message, releasing her hand. He jumped from the ledge immediately. He heard the gasps of many of those watching and smiled as he tumbled through the air. He didn’t open his eyes though. Instead, he imagined the view from those in the court as they had seen him jump to what must be his death from the ledge, only to rise again.

  Rise again on the back of an enormous dragon, right before their very eyes.

  Yellow flapped his wings impressively, staying in place. His large head snapped in and out of the balcony, helping to keep him steady, but it must have been terrifying to those watching. Elric and the king had moved to block the queen, but Bert caught the smile from Elric, who even offered Bert a wink, impressed by the theatrics.

  Cat stood, unmoving. Indeed, she hadn’t even turned to look at Yellow. Instead, she focused on the court. The wind from Yellow’s wings blew her hair around her face, her braid undone, long locks blowing wildly. She must have looked like an angel of war in that moment—face rushed with blood, hair flowing, dragon at her back, arguing a case for rebellion. “These are the allies we offer. These are the people and beings we have convinced of the justice of our cause. I invite you to join us, good people of Keelwick.” She stood quietly as people finally settled in slightly from their fear, uncovering their faces and moving from behind chairs and flipped tables they had hidden behind.

  The queen pushed her way through her husband and son to approach the edge of the balcony. “I have to say, Princess, I would much rather ally with such a beast than dare to fight it.” Her face showed her awe, but she bravely reached out to feel Yellow’s skin, pulling her hand back immediately.

  “One thing, Queen Aldera, if I may?” Bert asked from dragonback.

  She nodded her assent, her mouth hanging open, still stunned.

  “Do not call them beasts. His name is Smee’Fa’Ya and he is far from a beast. He is loyal, honorable, intelligent and my friend. His kind will join us to rebuild the peace, but he is no beast. They fight for what is right and for the people they love, not because they are told. We must earn their trust as we do any other.”

  The queen nodded deeply. “He has my apologies, young Bertram. We all have much to learn. There is a courtyard at the center of the castle that looks large enough for this…magnificent being. Perhaps he would like to rest there? I would love to take a closer look without the wind blowing the debris and dirt of my balcony at me.” She seemed to recall Bert’s words. “That is, if it pleases him?”

  “It does,” Bert said, smiling. He urged Yellow to take to the sky. Rather than settle into the courtyard, he and his friend flew around the city a few times. Bert looked down to the streets, seeing people carefully hiding, but looking up all the same. As he flew longer, people became braver. He was surprised to see that is was the children who were the bravest of all, standing in the middle of streets and waving up at them. Bert tried to wave back when he could, smiling and laughing. He carefully avoided the covered shipyards, unsure of how many ships might actually be complete and armed. Finally, he turned to the castle and spotted the courtyard open in the middle. They banked in the air and came in for a landing.