Legends of Amacia The Caverias Rebellion
Chapter 11: Return to the Red Tower

Back in the wastelands at the same moment, the Roc flew over the Avernian Mountains at a great height with Hanna and Muriel on its back, turning south as they crossed over the ridge. Argus followed close behind carrying Morpheus and Elle. Upon crossing the ridge, they all saw the army to end all armies off in the distance. It covered the steppes like ants off toward the eastern reaches of Zaraphath. The war machines were milling about with the troops. Hanna immediately noticed that something was terribly amiss about everything she was seeing. Muriel gasped in horror at the army. Then Hanna saw it: an apocalyptic cloud of boiling ash that seemed to hang over the forward divisions. Ash rained over two-thirds of the army as they slowly pulled back from the deadly cloud that hung stationary over the forward divisions. “My god!” Hanna breathed. “It blew down the valley and right onto the army.” Yet with the terrible hit the army had taken, they were still almost four hundred thousand strong with reinforcements pouring in from the distance toward Tartarus. The Roc drifted closer to the army and Muriel began to fear. The army covered a hundred square miles, making the ground seem alive. The Roc chirped and veered away, heading westward. The strange behavior of the Roc perplexed Argus, but he kept it to himself, following the Roc. It wasn’t long that he realized they were approaching the Watchtower of Ezra Karac. An hour later, they landed at the tower.

Hanna slid off the Roc with Muriel and Argus let Morpheus off with Elle. Hanna looked around at the place, sitting Muriel down next to a large boulder. “I’ll be right back,” she told Muriel as Elle and Morpheus went to her side. Hanna went to the Roc and looked it in the eye. It held its head level with hers. For what seemed an eternity, they looked at each other. “Thank you, my friend,” Hanna said gratefully. “Our escape and survival would have been in vain without your help.” The Roc chirped pleasantly in response. With an added sound that resembled a purr, the massive bird turned and walked to the precipice, taking off. Hanna waved to the bird, saying, “Until the next time!”

By now, the puzzlement of Argus so aggravated him that he asked, “What is going on, Hanna? Why did it leave you here?”

Hanna walked over to Argus. Putting a hand on Argus’ front shoulder and watching the Roc disappear into the distance, she sighed, saying, “I’m not entirely sure myself. Apparently, we are out of immediate danger, but why it left us here, I don’t know. I’m just as puzzled by its actions as you. You surely won’t be able to carry all four of us to Antilla. We’re still a long way from there.”

This wasn’t the answer Argus wanted but he admitted, “You are right. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to carry all four of you from Acheron, or from here for that matter.”

Hanna sighed as she looked out over the desert. Just like the last time she was there, daylight was fading. “We are missing something here, my friend,” Hanna said plainly, “something very important. Why did the Roc come to me that day with the ring and locket? Why did it come at the right moment of our greatest peril to spirit us away from danger in Acheron? There is a mystery about that magnificent bird that we don’t quite comprehend.”

Argus nodded, saying, “That’s true. Even with all my long life, the Roc has never been seen like this. Why has it attached itself to you? It must have something to do with who you are. You seem to be able to communicate with it.”

Hanna’s eyebrow rose. That thought that had never occurred to her. “You’re right,” she admitted. “I am able to understand him. I don’t understand it myself. The last time something like that happened was in the Arena when the Emperor sicced those saber cats on me. I was able to convince one to stand with me. I don’t understand it at all.”

Argus thought for a moment, and then said, “Maybe it’s the gift. I have noticed that you seem to be able to do things that no other man or woman can do. Talking to animals may be part of it.”

Hanna shrugged as she yawned. The long hours and constant conflict were taking a toll on her and it showed. Elle walked up, asking, “How are we going to get home?”

Hanna looked at her, and then at Morpheus and Muriel. “There’s a reason we were left here,” Hanna stated as she dug into her pocket, retrieving the communicator. She looked at it, and then at Elle with a hopeful look. “Elias. Elias. Are you there?” Hanna called into the communicator. For a few moments, only static came out of the device. Hanna called again with still only static coming through. Her heart began to sink as a dejected look crossed her weary face.

Suddenly, Elias’ voice came through the device, saying, “Hanna, is that you?”

Hanna looked up to heaven and gave a whisper of praise to the Lord God. “Yes, Elias. Man, it’s good to hear your voice!” she replied happily.

“Same here, little sister,” Elias replied with great excitement. “We thought you lost in the explosion. We felt it here in Antilla.”

Hanna’s jaw wagged open in surprise as she mouthed the words, “You felt it in Antilla?”

“Yes,” Elias replied. “It shook the whole island and disrupted the portal generator temporarily. Only about an hour ago did it come back on-line. Is Argus there with you?”

“Yes. He was very helpful,” Hanna replied.

“How did you get away?” Elias asked, bubbling with excitement.

“That is a long story, Elias. But I can tell you this, we saw the explosion and it was way bigger than I thought it was going to be,” Hanna replied. “Fortunately, we found cover when it happened. Otherwise, we would not be having this conversation.”

“No kidding?” Elias asked.

“No bones about it,” Hanna replied. “I’ll tell you all about it when we get there. Speaking of which, how long will it take for you to open the portal on this signal?”

“It will be at least a half hour,” Elias reported. “You see, I am not in the portal chamber right now. I’m outside. Give me a few minutes and we’ll get you back here.”

Hanna smiled, saying, “That’s all right. Are you in something important right now?”

“Not so important as getting you home,” Elias replied. “The people are getting antsy and worried that you were not coming back.”

Hanna groaned, saying, “When will they learn that I never welch on a promise. After all they’ve seen, they still doubt the power of God to keep me alive. In that case, do not tell them what you are doing. Only tell Kida, Enoch, Electra, and Emma if they ask.”

“Done; I’ll be in touch,” Elias replied.

“We’ll be waiting,” Hanna replied. “Is that good enough?” she asked Elle.

Elle nodded. A strange feeling came over Hanna and she looked around urgently. Argus noticed it and asked, “What is it?”

Hanna shook his head, saying, “I don’t know. That terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach is back. I think we should get out of the open.”

Argus heard a faint echo rising over the desert and he said, “I think you are right. You’d better get in. The flyers are coming out.”

Hanna ran and jumped on a block of stone, looking to the east. “Elle, get Morpheus and Muriel under cover,” she ordered.

“Where?” Elle asked. Hanna pointed to the hole in the wall. Elle ran, urging them into the structure. Morpheus promptly picked up Muriel and followed Elle into the keep.

Hanna stood transfixed as she gazed into the distance. “What do you see?” Argus replied tensely as he looked in the direction Hanna was looking.

Hanna’s countenance hardened as far off toward the mountains to the east she saw three Rakshasar gliding on their werack mounts coming in their direction. “I’m not sure. I see figures riding on flyers, dark shrouded figures in gray over the mountains. They are coming this way. I can’t even be sure that I’m not hallucinating. I’m seeing the mountains that we crossed coming here as clear as it were right in front of me, but I know that it is impossible. Those mountains are over thirty leagues away,” she said as she rubbed her eyes and looked. The vision stayed the same. The ghostly riders rode on the flying weracks, coming in their direction quickly. “God, I hate this!” she complained. “I don’t need this; not now!”

Argus squinted at the horizon where the Avernian Mountains hung there like a mirage. Even his keen eyesight could not see what Hanna was seeing. “Do not disrespect the gift giver,” Argus scolded. “I cannot see what you do, but I believe you. You have never lied to me.”

Hanna growled, and then jumped down next to Argus, saying, “I just don’t know. So much has happened. I’m dead tired, and the Emperor will surely rage in his fury when he finds out what happened to Acheron. Now, I see beyond the horizon. That’s the kind of thing that I used to do as a wizard. I don’t need that problem again.”

Argus probed Hanna’s mind gently and saw the great stress and fatigue on her. He also saw Hanna wasn’t being influenced in an evil manner. “Why are you knocking around in my skull again, Argus?” she asked bluntly.

“Forgive me. I just wanted to see if you were being influenced by any evil agencies. I didn’t find any,” Argus replied.

“I’m sorry,” Hanna apologized. “Thank you for being concerned enough to check. I am blessed to have a friend like you.”

“Think nothing of it,” Argus replied. “It is the stress and fatigue of all that is going on that is talking.”

Hanna patted Argus on his scaly shoulder, saying, “After all this is done, I’m going to need some serious time off.”

Argus nodded, saying, “I’ll watch. You go in and try and relax for a few minutes.”

Hanna nodded and walked into the keep through the hole where Morpheus, Muriel, and Elle sat waiting just inside. When Hanna walked in, she noticed the fear on their faces. “What’s the matter?” she asked. Almost as soon as she opened her mouth, she realized their fear and added, “Do the dead here scare you? Do not fear them. This is where I found the sword of Ezra Karac. Lo, see him there at the end of the table, still sitting in death as the leader of these people.” Hanna pointed to the skeleton at the end of the table, still sitting in his chair. She went to the chair and placed her hands on the chair, saying, “Meet the mighty Ezra Karac, guardian of this place and sole survivor of the onslaught of the Emperor’s legions. His sword was a great sword...a great sword for a great man. I was saddened to have lost it on the Isle of the Devourers in the chasm of Acheron. In all my life, I have only heard about swords that could cleave through stone in myths and legends. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d actually find or use such a blade. Surely, I was amazed when I used Ezra’s sword to hew two four-foot pillars down in my battle for survival. Swords and the art that could make such a fine instrument have never been known on the surface, not since the cataclysm that banished this land to this grave. Imagine how the world would have been different had such technology survived on the surface. I shudder to contemplate it.” She walked back to them, unslung the scepter and sword, and sat down next to Muriel, leaning on the wall with the sword and scepter within reach next to her on the floor. Her weariness was evident.

“Are you all right?” Morpheus asked.

“Yeah,” Hanna replied, “Just tired.”

Muriel took Hanna’s hand with her reptilian one and asked, “When was the last time you slept?”

Hanna shook her head, saying, “I don’t rightly know. Twenty-four, thirty-six hours or more; it’s hard to tell. I do remember having a brief nap while the healer worked on me after I escaped the chasm. But beyond that, I don’t rightly remember.”

Muriel looked at her, saying, “You need sleep.”

Hanna nodded, saying, “I know. But time is against us. I haven’t time for sleep.”

“Nonsense,” Muriel scolded. “You can barely stay awake now. You are going to have to sleep before you can get her.”

Her words fell on deaf ears as Hanna fell dead asleep while Muriel was speaking to her. “Poor dear,” Elle said sympathetically. “She has exhausted herself.”

Elle, Morpheus, and Muriel talked for ten minutes amongst themselves discussing their escape from Acheron. Hanna began to snore softly when a sound echoed from her coat. “Hanna, are you there?” Elias called.

Elle fished the communicator out of Hanna’s pocket and said into it, “Elias? Is that you?”

“Elle, what’s wrong? Where is Hanna?” Elias queried with a hint of concern in his tone.

“Nothing’s wrong for the moment,” Elle replied, “Hanna fell asleep a few minutes ago. She’s exhausted from being awake for so long.”

Elias sighed in relief as he said, “Okay, Elle. I have you all on the hologram here. I am going to open the portal just outside the building. Stay clear of it until it’s open.”

“Sure, Elias,” Elle said. She saw a flash of light outside as the telltale fireball appeared announcing the portal’s opening. With a smile and a happy tone, she said, “We’re going home!” A few seconds later, Morpheus had gathered Muriel into his arms and was getting up as Elle picked up the scepter and the Caverias sword. A moment later, Enoch and Kida appeared in the opening as Elle, Morpheus, and Muriel started to come out.

“Where is she?” Enoch asked.

Elle pointed to Hanna, saying, “She has to get some rest. She has been so concerned with the welfare of everyone else that she forgot about herself.”

Kida ran to Hanna, dropping to her knees beside her to check her vital signs. Enoch looked around, seeing the ancient dead everywhere. When his eye fell on the end of the table, he breathed, “Ezra Karac: the mighty man of valor himself. Time has not been kind to you.” He tore himself way from the sight and went to Hanna, squatting down beside her and Kida. “Well?” he asked.

“Exhaustion has her, honey. But she’s okay,” Kida replied. She helped Enoch pick Hanna up and they walked out to the portal.

When they got outside, Argus turned to them, saying, “Your timing is impeccable, Enoch. Hanna said not more than fifteen minutes ago that she saw three riders shrouded in gray coming from the east on flyers. She was right. I just spotted them not more than a minute ago heading this way.”

Enoch nodded solemnly, saying, “Thank you for bringing them out alive, Argus.”

Argus hesitated, saying, “There is more to it than you know. But we must go now before the Rakshasar spot us.”

Enoch nodded and said to everyone, “Let’s go home.” He went through first, carrying Hanna. Kida was next to him with Elle. Morpheus followed with Muriel and Argus brought up the rear. As soon as Argus came through, the portal vanished without a trace.

Once inside the portal chamber, everyone stepped aside to let Argus off the platform. He went to one side as Hanna’s new family gathered around with Morpheus and Muriel. Electra rushed forward and asked, “Is she all right?”

“Yes,” Kida answered. “But she is exhausted and apparently needs more work from the healer.”

Enoch hesitated for a moment, asking Morpheus and Muriel, “What happened? Were you injured, Muriel?”

Muriel nodded, saying, “I was more than injured. I was dead. Miss Beowulf brought me back, but I am still not well. I can’t walk.”

Enoch’s eyebrow rose with interest as he asked, “Dead? And she brought you back?”

Muriel looked at Hanna with great gratitude and love, saying, “Yes. Apparently, there was an unforeseen consequence to setting the machines off. But I do not know exactly what happened.”

Enoch nodded, saying, “We shall find out everything, but first, since you are injured, follow me to the healer. Morpheus, bring Muriel.” Enoch immediately carried Hanna out, followed by Morpheus and Muriel. Kida and Electra tagged along. Elias stayed at the controls of the portal.

Once everyone had left, Elias asked Argus, “Do you want to go outside?”

Argus nodded, saying, “Yes.” He lumbered toward the platform as Elias opened the portal to the top of the tower.

“I’ve opened the door to the top of the tower,” Elias declared.

Argus smiled, saying, “Thank you, Elias. I see Hanna was a good teacher. You operate the machine like a master.”

Elias blushed, saying, “It wasn’t Hanna that taught me, but the Teacher that she used to enlighten me that taught me the machine.”

“But she was responsible for your learning the ways of the machine,” Argus retorted pleasantly.

Elias conceded the point by saying, “Yes, she was. So much has changed with her appearance. I am doing things that I never thought I’d do.”

Argus sighed, saying, “Hanna is a catalyst for change. The old ways are being uncovered and revived because of her presence. Things lost for tens of thousands of cycles are being rediscovered, and utilized. Tell me. Is it true that she found drakens in the citadel?”

Elias smiled broadly, saying, “Without a doubt, my friend. You are not alone any more. They are outside waiting. The ones called Aeolus and Tethys are particularly anxious to meet you.”

Argus was stunned and taken back by the mention of the two names, especially Tethys. “Are you sure?” Argus asked, not trying to give place to false hope.

“Go on and see for yourself. They have quite a brood associated with them and all of them hate the Emperor with a passion,” Elias replied pleasantly.

Argus felt hope rise in his heart and said, “I think I will.” He stepped through the portal onto the roof where he’d originally set Hanna and Nathanael down when they first came to the Red Tower.

The portal snapped shut behind him, leaving him alone on the top of the tower. He lumbered to the edge and looked down over the Isle of Antilla. The people of Arionath and the Cimmerians were mingling and being civil with each other. The people had set up tents and shelter in the fields around the tower. He sighed deeply, very pleased that his people were safe and secure for the first time in ages. Argus perched on the edge of the tower like a giant gargoyle, looking down over the small remnant of humanity below him. After a few minutes of observing the people from his lofty perch, he settled down; weary with the flight from Acheron. He wanted to see the other drakens, but just didn’t have the energy to do a search. For the first time in a long time, he discovered that he was actually happy. He smiled through his weariness as he dozed. His thoughts wandered to Hanna, and what her appearance meant to all the peoples of the caverns. As he started to fall asleep, Argus heard the sound of wings...draken wings. He shook himself, sensing the presence of two other drakens close by, which was confirmed by the thudding of two landings. Raising his head, he looked around wearily. When he didn’t see anything, he yawned with a growl and a voice spoke from behind him. “I can’t believe my eyes! Argus?” the feminine voice called out.

The voice reached deep into Argus’ memories and stirred him to action. He pushed to his feet and turned around to see Tethys. He blinked, not sure that he was seeing truly. Tethys moved forward, followed by Aeolus. They had emerged from behind one of the pillars. Argus shook his head violently as if trying to wake from a dream.

“Argus, my young friend; how are you?” Aeolus spoke as they approached Argus. It wasn’t until Tethys was standing right in front of Argus and he caught her scent that he realized this wasn’t a dream.

“My sister lives!” Argus whispered in astonishment. He stepped forward and he and Tethys touched heads like a couple of cats.

“Oh, my brother,” Tethys cried joyously.

Aeolus lumbered around to her side and Argus immediately acknowledged him. “My goodness; you have grown!” Aeolus said in an almost fatherly manner. “And you managed to remain alive. What happened to your father and Eribus? Are they still alive?”

Argus’ countenance fell as he said, “No, great one. They were killed when the Chimera was released in Acheron long ago.”

Aeolus was saddened at the news. “What about the rest of our brethren?” he asked.

“Gone,” Argus said grimly. “I was the last. I believed that I was all that was left of our kind until a few hours ago when Hanna came and told us she’d freed drakens from the Acheron citadel. I didn’t want to believe it until now. Twelve thousand cycles is a long time to think you’re the last draken.”

Aeolus grunted knowingly, saying, “Tell me about it. We thought the same until Miss Beowulf showed up and freed us with Morpheus’ clan and Muriel. Speaking of which, where are they? Did they escape the destruction?”

Tethys listened with great anticipation as Argus nodded saying, “Yes. It was a miracle any of us escaped the place. The Cadre’s tempest was bearing down when they came out. Muriel was injured, but alive. In fact, someone would have perished in that consummation had the Roc not shown up and helped.”

“Do not tell tales, brother,” Tethys scolded. “The Roc is a myth. It has not been seen since the coup.”

Argus looked both of them right in the eye and said honestly, “I lie not. The Roc came for the second time to Hanna and spirited her and Muriel away on its back so I wouldn’t have to carry four, which I could not do. Elle and Morpheus provided more than enough load for me. Hanna told me to follow the Roc and I did. It led us to the edge of the wastes of Azrael where we landed and hunkered down while the citadel exploded. I must say that the explosion we witnessed was the largest explosion I’ve ever seen. It then led us to Zaraphath where we saw the Emperor’s dreaded army being overtaken by the explosion of Acheron’s power plant. There had to been at least half a million in the army with those nearest to the Cimmerian gorge being overwhelmed by the explosion. It reached all the way to Zaraphath. The Roc then took us to the watchtower of Ezra Karac in the Dune Sea where it left us. Hanna was able to use her communicator at that point to reach here, and thus we came back.”

Aeolus was truly surprised by the mention of the Roc. “You actually saw the Roc?” he asked.

Argus nodded, saying, “Yes, sir; twice to be exact. The first time was outside the city of Acheron when Hanna was finally convinced of who she was. The Roc appeared and left her the ring and locket of Thoth Caverias. I have no doubt at all that she is the One, the long lost heir to the Caverias line...the Last Caverias. She has fulfilled the prophecies to the letter, right down to the mutation.”

They looked at each other for a moment, and then Tethys smiled and licked Argus on the side of the face saying, “My brother…the friend of the One. The Ancient of Days has been merciful to us to have granted us this reunion. I love you, Argus.” She nuzzled him under the chin.

“I love you too, Tethys,” Argus replied. “But I am not the same rash draken you used to know. Time and the Emperor have molded the draken you see before you. At least you had Aeolus. I have been alone for over two thousand cycles. The moment the Emperor discovered that we were mortal, he went on a campaign to wipe us out, and he did. Only being guardian to Arionath in my father’s stead kept me going. It gave me purpose.”

Tethys looked him in the eye saying, “Well, brother, you’re no longer alone. We’re family, aren’t we Aeolus.”

Aeolus nodded saying, “Yes, Tethys. We are. Now, meet the rest of your family, Argus.” Aeolus lifted his head and roared. In seconds, the other twenty-three drakens he and Tethys had reared came out of nowhere, flying around like a flock of giant bats. They came in and landed around them. Argus was stupefied by it as they came in. They ranged in size from just below Tethys’ size to about the size of a bison of both sexes, with most being female. Of the twenty-three young drakens, only four were males. Some resembled Aeolus and others tended to be more like Tethys while others were a mix of the two. When they all had landed, they approached Argus with curiosity as Aeolus said, “Meet Argus, my children, the only free draken to survive the Emperor’s onslaught and your mother’s brother.”

They marveled at Argus, at everything about him. One of the larger females finally got courage enough to step close to him and asked, “Are you really the last free draken?”

Argus smiled warmly, saying, “I was, until now, little one. Now I have company. What is your name?”

“I’m Calliope,” the young female draken replied in a sweet melodious voice. She bore a remarkable resemblance to Tethys and an air of innocence hung about her, asking, “How did you survive?”

Argus looked at the little draken with admiration. She was beautiful by draken standards and inquisitive. “By the mercies of the Ancient of Days, Calliope; I did what I had to protect the people my father was guardian over. When he perished in the assault at the time of the Chimera, I took his place. Look there. You see those people?” he said, nodding off the tower to the multitude below. Calliope looked in wonder at the people as Argus said, “I am their guardian. It is my job to see that no harm comes to them if I can at all prevent it. But it seems that my job is coming to an end. The Ancient of Days has sent the One...the Last Caverias. She lays within this very tower, a man who was mutated into a woman by the rage of the Emperor; a woman of incredible tenacity, strength and will, which I might add that is not her own. The Ancient of Days is with her, giving strength to her like I’ve never seen given to any other man or woman for that matter.”

Calliope looked at Argus and asked, “Who is she?”

Argus sighed, saying, “She is our deliverance and yours. She set you free from the citadel. She set Muriel free. She set Morpheus and his people free. She defends the innocent and pure and watches after what she calls the remnant of God, drawing them together from every corner of this cursed underworld.” He gazed deep into her eyes as Tethys, Aeolus, and her brothers and sisters looked on. She was drinking in every word, as were they all. “She is the heir to the Caverias throne from the surface just like the prophecies foretold. She is the Beowulf or as she prefers to be called since her mutation, Hanna. Before that when she was a man, he went by the name of Hannibal. Surely, you saw her up close in the bowels of your prison. And most importantly, I have the honor to call her friend and sister.”

Calliope marveled, as did most of her siblings. “I didn’t get to speak to her when we were in the caves,” she said. “But I knew that she was no ordinary woman. She bested Baal, the beast of fire in the abyss and survived.”

“I know,” Argus replied warmly. “She showed me what happened. Surely, there is a higher power driving and protecting her.”

“Do you think I could see her up close and maybe talk to her?” Calliope asked, hoping.

Argus smiled, looking at her then toward Tethys and Aeolus, saying, “I believe that could be arranged. I’m sure that she wants to talk with you too. Hanna is very knowledgeable on many things, much more so than any woman that I’ve ever encountered. She is also a very sensitive soul too, and actually a peace-loving woman at heart, but the circumstances she has found himself in all her life has molded her into a warrior of unprecedented power.”

One of the male drakens moved up and asked, “Is she as powerful as the Emperor?”

Argus looked over at the young draken, asking, “What is your name, son?”

“Thantos,” the young draken replied.

Argus looked at Thantos, stating, “When I first met Hannibal before he was mutated into Hanna, I would have said no. But much has happened since he came here, including his capture and his mutation into Hanna, which appears to have been a terrible mistake on the Emperor’s part. Just as the prophecies said, the mutation would awaken Beowulf’s power and it has. Since the mutation, Hanna has grown very powerful, much more so than I’ve ever seen any one woman get. The Emperor has tried to kill her directly several times and each time the Emperor fails and she gets that much more powerful. At this point, I would say yes. Before this is over, she may become the most powerful being on the planet.”

Thantos was impressed, saying, “The most powerful being in the world. I can see it happening after what we saw in the grottoes beneath the citadel.” A thought hit him and he voiced it, asking, “What is to keep her from abusing that power once the Emperor is gone?”

Argus saw the point, saying, “You are very perceptive and intelligent, Thantos. Her God will keep her from abusing her power. Understand this, the position she has found herself in is one she never wanted. The power she has she never asked for. Furthermore, I’ve come to understand that Hanna sees her mutation as a form of divine chastisement for past misdeeds. She’s very passionate about righting past wrongs and doing what’s right in the process. The way she sees it, the Ancient of Days has put a terrible burden on her with this power, a burden that she never asked for or wanted. All she ever wanted was to live quietly in peace and know the truth. But I cannot convince you of that. You must hear it from her mouth, not mine. Let her speak for herself. But this I can assure you all of: I trust Hanna with this power the Almighty Ancient of Days has put on her. She will not abuse it.”

Thantos was somewhat satisfied with Argus’ proclamation. Aeolus added onto Argus’ proclamation, saying to all, “I have seen her mind, my children. She is the absolute opposite of the Emperor in every way, his very antithesis. Like Argus, I trust her.” The young drakens murmured and at that point, the very strange reunion of draken kind really commenced as the young ones crowded forward to greet and speak with Argus, some even to touch him. They picked his brain on all kinds of subjects, from what it was like to be free to breathing fire and ice. Argus was occupied for some time.

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