Aeris wasn’t sure exactly what had changed over the last few days, but her training had improved dramatically. She was now able to grab almost all of the flags, and Silias followed her instructions perfectly. In a few more days, she should be able to grab all of them with no difficulty.

There was little time to celebrate her victory, however, as Sareen soon added Maxis and Windor to the mix. Commanding three dragons at once was even harder than anticipated and the sessions gave her a massive headache. Sareen changed the schedule to every other day so that Aeris may rest between sessions.

She hadn’t told anyone, but her downtime was spent thinking about Olyvia. The meeting with the dragoness nagged at her. She remembered the cage almost feeling the sting of the whip again, the bell ringing in the back of her mind. That wasn’t some random nightmare. Those were memories, Olyvia’s memories.

She wondered what else Olyvia had endured over the years, the nightmare the dragoness had to pull through by herself. And now she would rather be alone in the dark, stewing in her thoughts than be around others. She wanted to ask Sareen about it, but it didn’t feel right.

The only solution was to ask Olyvia directly. She made up her mind to visit during her next off day.

She awoke early that morning. She learned that during the morning, everyone was either asleep or getting things ready for when the dragons awoke. It allowed her free reign to move about the temple unnoticed.

She used a different entrance to the west wing but found her way easily as if she had used the path dozens of times. The other rooms had nothing of interest; she knew it even without looking. It was a strange feeling despite it being her first time navigating the halls.

Olyvia lifted her head and flicked her tongue the moment Aeris entered the room. “Well, well, well, look who’s back. After you fainted, I thought I broke Sareen’s new toy, but then word got around that you’re alive and well. Even better, you have control of your Call again.”

Aeris sat down in front of the dragoness. “How do you know that?”

Her smile grew wider. “You think just because I’m blind and alone I don’t know anything?”

“Wh-What? No! I would never--”

“It’s a joke, newblood. No sense of humor just like Sareen.” She sighed heavily and rolled onto her back. “Just once, I would like someone who can take a joke.”

Aeris tilted her head. “I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re very strange.”

“I don’t mean to be rude but I’m going to insult you, she says. Yeah, but I’m the weird one. And before you say it again, that was a joke too.” She rolled back onto her side and stretched. “So what brings you down here? It’s obvious Sareen doesn’t know you’re here or she’d be with you.”

“I...I wanted to keep you company.”

“Oh? Well, didn’t expect that. She wants to keep me company. How sweet. You know Sareen is the only one who comes to visit and usually it’s because she wants something. That’s how dragons are, I guess. If you can’t serve their needs what good are you?”

Aeris wasn’t sure if that question was directed at her or not so decided to sit patiently until Olyvia acknowledged her again.

“Well, Sareen will be pissed to find out you came to see me again, so of course you can stay. Follow me and I’ll show you how to really have a good time around this place.”

Aeris followed her to the door. “Why do you hate Sareen?”

“Hate? No, no, newblood. I don’t hate her. I just don’t care about her plans. She knows this and it pisses her off that she needs me.”

They stepped into the hall. It still reeked of blood and death but the scent didn’t seem as powerful. It felt a little calming and familiar. But that wasn’t right. She hated the smell of blood and it was never something she was familiar with.

To distract from the strange revelation, she focused on Olyvia. “She needs you?”

“Oh yes, she requires an Oracle for what she needs but she never became one herself.”

“Why not?”

Olyvia stopped waggled her tail at Aeris who shrank away. Even with the broken tusks the appendage still looked threatening. “Ah, ah, ah. That’s personal business. Just because I’m not helping her doesn’t mean I’m going to get in her way. If you want to know about that, you’ll have to ask her yourself. Just be careful, it’s a bit of a...sensitive topic.”

Given how Sareen dodged every personal question asked of her, Aeris knew she was never getting a straight answer. She turned the conversation back to the original topic.

“So what does Sareen need an Oracle for?”

“Can’t tell you that either; it would ruin the surprise.”

Aeris huffed before she could stop herself. Of all the dragons she spoke to, Olyvia was one of the most frustrating. Most people who kept information from her usually did so for her sake or because it was a sensitive subject. She was certain Olyvia couldn't care less but simply enjoyed keeping her in the dark.

Instead of going up the stairs at the end of the hall, Olyvia turned down a side passage Aeris missed during her first visit. Given that she was running in the dark and panicking it was easy to miss. The scent of blood grew fainter as they descended, but it also became dakers. Soon Aeris couldn’t see the tip of her snout.

“Um, are there lights down here?”

“We don’t need lights, newblood. You have all the sight you need. I’m sure you could do it if you gave it a try.”

Aeris knew exactly what Olyvia was referring to. She remembered the memory of the cage; how she used her tongue to sense the world around her.

She flicked her tongue rapidly. At first, all she could smell was the stale air and the dragoness before her but soon she began to sense things around her. She could tell how far away the walls were from her position, how close she stood to Olyvia. If she really focused, she could make out the finer details such as the empty wall sconces or the moss growing between the cracks in the walls and floor.

“How am I doing this?” she asked. “I’ve never used my tongue like this before.”

Olyvia snorted. “Phrasing, newblood. Anyway, you picked up on that faster than I expected. It took me a year to master that. Looks like my teacher was right after all.”

“Your teacher?”

“Every Oracle has a teacher to show her how to use her Call to transfer memories. It’s a lot harder than it looks. But my teacher said you could transfer more than memories, you could transfer power as well. Looks like a bit of my power rubbed off on you, and only after one session. That crazy old man might be on to something.”

It was hard to speak and sense her surroundings at the same time, but so many questions were bursting in her mind she had to ask. “What do you mean? What crazy old man? What kind of powers can you transfer?”

“Patience, newblood. One thing at a time.”

There was no more talking, which Aeris was annoyed and grateful for. Flicking her tongue so much made her mouth dry but there was so much she wanted to ask.

They descended a little further into a massive underground lake. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the ceiling, providing much-needed light to the area. Aeris was so glad to see water she approached it and began drinking without hesitation. The cool crisp liquid was like heave for her parched throat.

Olyvia sat beside her as she drank. “Do you know the name Jeffery Jackman?”

Aeris lifted her head long enough to reply “No” before going back to drinking. The Jackman name was familiar to her. She wondered if there was any relation to Logan Jackman.

“He’s the most respected dracologist among the humans. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of him. Oh well. It’s not important. What is important is that I met him once. He had a very...strange theory about dragons.”

Aeris, now having drank her fill, lifted her head and gave Olyvia her full attention. “What theory?”

“He believed that when a species reaches the end of its line, the remaining descendants become stronger. Something about nature fighting against its extinction or some other nonsense. I always thought it was stupid, but seeing you changed my mind.” A devious smile spread across her muzzle. “Since there’s a good chance you’re the last Celesital Matriarch, your power is greater than normal. You could be something else if you live long enough.”

That wasn’t the answer Aeris was expecting. As exciting as it sounded, the idea of being the last of her kind was disheartening. “Does Sareen know about this?

“Of course she does. You think anything Sareen does is an accident? Oh, you precious thing. You have no idea whose web you stumbled in. You’ve been doing everything she expected you to. Until now that is. ”

“Um, can we get back to what you were saying before about the Celestials?”

“Is this making you uncomfortable?”

Aeris tucked her head. “A little. Sareen has done so much for me, but everyone keeps telling me she’s no good. It… it reminds me of when I was with my master.”

“Really? I can see how someone would think that about Sareen. Shame they don’t know what they’re talking about. I mean, I wouldn’t go to her for help, but she always says what she means.”

“I know. She really is helping me, but know she wants something in return.”

“Oh? But you followed her here anyway.”

“I need to control my Call and she was the only one I could turn to.”

“Ooohh, so there is a little selfishness in you after all. And what are you going to do when Sareen asks for payment?”

Aeris frowned. She didn’t think of herself as selfish. The whole reason for this was to keep from hurting innocent people. “She helped me, so if she asks, I’ll help her.”

A devious grin spread across Olyvia’s muzzle. “Even if she asks you to do something horrible?”

“She wouldn’t do that.”

“And what makes you so sure?”

“She said so herself. A Matriarch has to be set in her ways. She won’t ask me to do something I would never do.”

She scratched her side with her tail, wearing a very bored expression. “Well, there goes that theory. And here I was hoping you’d be the one to surpass her.”

Aeris bowed low. “Thank you for your time, but I think I should be going now.” Olyvia wasn’t even trying to hide her insults and she was getting tired of it.

“Leaving already? Aren’t you curious about why I brought you down here?”

She stopped and quickly spun around, fearing an ambush.

Olyvia laughed. “Didn’t I tell you already? I’m not about to waste my time killing you. Nah, I brought you here for more training.”

“More training?”

Footsteps approached from the tunnel. She spun around to see Maxis standing at the entrance.

“Maxis, what are you doing here?”

The Nightstalker didn’t reply. Aeris backed away. Something didn’t feel right. He had that look in his eyes Silias had at times. A blank expression as if he were still asleep.

“Hmm. I was hoping to bring the other one here too. Looks like he’s resisting me. Is someone forming pacts already? And it’s a pretty strong one too to resist my Call. Sareen pointed out that your power shows when you’re under distress. So that means you have to be trained like the Matriarchs of old.”

Dark images appeared in Aeris’ mind. Dragons bleeding and broken. Screams of pain echoing in her ears. She didn’t know what it meant, but she felt faint. “But I-I didn’t come here for training.”

“Too bad. I like you and you’re interesting. But your Call is weak. From what Sareen said about you, I expected more.”

Maxis stalked into the room, his gaze straight ahead. Aeris stepped to the side out of his path, but he changed direction effortlessly, continuing the approach.

“I need you to keep being interesting and you’ll only do that by getting stronger. So you have three minutes to live. Good luck, Snowflake.”

“Wait—”

Maxis launched himself towards her. The speed of the larger dragon caught her off-guard and she was too slow to dodge the attack. Lights danced in her vision when his paw struck the side of her head, sending her reeling.

She saw him rearing up for a second strike. The first blow still had her dazed but she managed to barely avoid it.

“Come on, you’ll never get anywhere like that. Use your Call to make him stop.”

“Maxis, you have to stop this!” She ducked under another blow. “You didn’t do all this just to kill me!”

“Sorry, he can’t hear you. Actually, he can, but I told him to ignore you.”

Aeris jumped back, narrowing avoiding a wide swing of his tail. She spread her wings and leapt into the air. The hole in the ceiling was her best chance at escape. She didn't know the first thing about fighting and didn't want to hurt Maxis even if she did.

Maxis crouched low and launched himself at her. She was again too slow and took the full force of his tackle, flying backward into the lake. The impact shocked her system, locking her limbs. As she sank, she cursed her foolishness. Nighstalkers were famed for being unbeatable in the air. Flying wouldn’t work. Running didn’t seem an option either. Olyvia was likely blocking the exit by now.

Her Call was her only option, but Maxis wasn’t giving her any time to think. The instant she saw him move, her mind went elsewhere.

If you don’t stop him, you’ll die, her thoughts chided. Then Janine will be left alone in here with Sareen and Olyvia. You know how they feel about humans. Is that what you want?

That couldn’t happen. Janine sacrificed everything to help her; that kindness wouldn’t be repaid like this. Aeris regained control of her body and righted herself. It didn’t seem Maxis was going into the water after her, making it the perfect time to use her Call. She couldn’t see where he was, but going to the surface wasn’t an option. Holding her breath and using the Call was difficult but she focused her thoughts.

Maxis, stop fighting.

She couldn’t tell if it worked or not, but it would have to do; her lungs felt close to bursting. She swam with all her strength to the surface.

She broke the surface, shooting into the air. Hopefully, it would catch Maxis off-guard and he wouldn’t attack immediately.

He turned to her and her heart sank at seeing the listless stare. He launched a fireball at her. She was prepared and swerved out of the way. The blast’s roar shook the cavern walls. She focused on her Call again while there was still an opening.

Maxis--

He charged at her again. She narrowly avoided the charge.

Don’t do this! Stop it!

He circled around and charged again. This time Aeris anticipated it and fired a chunk of ice from her maw. He quickly swerved, avoiding the attack and her as well. That trick wouldn’t work forever. She had only a few more passes to get him under control.

“Using your Call is about more than just giving orders,” Olyvia shouted. “Come on, I know you can do it. Make this interesting.”

“Shut up!” She fired another blast of ice to chase Maxis away then faced the horntail. “Why are you doing this?”

Olyvia chewed on the tip of her spiked tail and shrugged. “If you live through this, maybe I’ll tell you!”

Aeris growled. This was getting her nowhere. And her Call didn’t seem to be affecting him; she had no idea why.

She was struck from behind, claws slashing at her wing joints. Her strength failed and she plummeted to the ground. Pain racked her body. An image of a warehouse flashed before her mind. She remembered being surrounded by ice and snow and crumbling walls. A familiar dreaded feeling of helplessness and hopelessness filled her. There were footsteps in the distance, just audible over the whistling winds. Blood covered her claws. It itched and burned.

The humans were coming for her. At any moment, they would find her and throw her in the cage again. Then she would be at the mercy of the bell and the whip.

Wait, she thought. That wasn’t right. She was never whipped. There was never a bell. She focused her thoughts. There was no snow, no wind. Only the rough rocky cavern floor and the acrid air.

She couldn’t fail, not again. Failure had cost her everything but her life before. The anxiety and worry boiled within her. She focused on her Call. It felt as if her head were about to split open.

Maxis, sit down!

Silence fell over the cavern. The footsteps and howling wind disappeared. There was no shouting. The pain had deduced a dull throb, but her head felt like a blunt knife had been shoved into it. She raised her head. Maxis sat before her, his head bowed.

“You did it!” Olyvia cried, bouncing where she stood. “I knew you had it in you! That pressure you gave off gave me chills! I loved it!”

Aeris stood and glared at the dragoness then approached Maxis to make sure he was okay.

Blood dripped from his crooked muzzle, but there was life in his eyes again. He raised his head and looked shocked to see her. “Aeris, where’d you—where’re we?”

“You don’t remember?” It was a relief to see no permanent damage had been done, but it didn’t make the guilt any easier.

“That’s my fault,” Olyvia said. “I needed him to do what I wanted so I might have overpowered his mind a bit.”

Maxis frowned. “That’s Olyvia isn’t it?”

“Yes. Maxis I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I felt bad about leaving her down here.”

“Whatever. Let’s just get out of here.”

“Have fun you two! And Aeris, if you ever need more training, don’t be a stranger.”

Aeris refused to look back as she followed Maxis out of the cavern. She had to lead him through the darker areas, but they quickly found their way back to the ground floor. The entire trip, he refused to speak or look at her, not that she blamed him. If she hadn’t gone to see Olyvia he wouldn’t be there.

Once they were out of the west wing, Maxis spoke. “Listen, I don’t remember what happened down there, but I am...sorry, you know?”

The apology caught her off guard. It wasn’t like him to apologize for anything and it never sounded genuine. But now he didn’t have that same straight posture, his voice seemed gentle—or as gentle as it was going to be. “No, it’s my fault. I went to see Olivia and--”

“That’s not the point. Most Matriarchs can’t affect me, but that one did. Whatever I did under her influence, I had a choice. I just didn’t think of any reason why I shouldn’t listen. You annoy me, but I don’t hate you.”

Aeris smiled. That sounded more like a Maxis apology. “It’s fine. Well, I’m going to lie down for a bit. Overusing my Call gives me a headache.”

Instead of going to her room, she went to see Sareen. She would be upset to learn about the secret training, but Aeris had burning questions in her mind and it was the best way to get answers for them.

She found Sareen in her room unwinding for the day. She was alone which made it easier to tell the story. The dragoness was not happy to hear of Aeris’ activities. “I thought I forbade you from going near her again! Olyvia is not concerned with your well-being! Whether you lived or died, it makes no difference to her!”

“I know and I’m sorry. I just...I felt sorry for her. She’s all alone and after everything she’s been through--”

“Enough.” Her voice had lost its harshness and instead seemed tired. “Aeris, Olyvia is far from alone. Many dragons, including myself, visit her from time to time. And she’s free to leave the temple whenever she chooses.”

“But—”

“Your compassion is heartening, but foolish. There are many, human and dragon, who would take advantage of that. I thought you would have learned that by now.”

Aeris bowed her head. “I know that, but I refuse to abandon someone I think needs help. I’ve seen others do it all the time, and I refuse to do it, too.”

“Very well. So long as you understand the consequences are yours to face, do as you wish. But I will warn you one final time to stay away from Olyvia.”

Aeris nodded. After today, she realized just how dangerous the dragoness was. Still, it felt wrong to completely write Olyvia off like that. The dragoness reminded her too much of Reks. He made a point of wearing armor as well to hide his true feelings.

“Is something bothering you?” Sareen asked.

“It’s nothing.”

The dragoness studied her for a moment. Aeris met her gaze, knowing any sign of weakness or fear would bring out more questions.

“Very well. Then we must move on to a more important topic: there is something I wish to show you. Come.”

Aeris didn’t ask what that something was and followed Sareen into the hall. They went to another section of the temple Aeris had never visited: the dungeons. She knew of them from Sareen’s tour but had no intention of going down there. She had plenty of stories about dark, dank places filled with bones and tortured souls. It wasn’t something she wanted to see.

This place was nothing like that. It carried the oppressive atmosphere she expected, but she also expected it to be much worse. There no moss-covered walls, no rats running around, no smell of death and despair.

Sareen stopped at the first cell. The guard nearby bowed his head and backed away. Aeris peered inside. The accommodations were cozy, not the single slab of stone or metal with a bucket in the corner that had been described to her so many times.

Laying on the bed in the corner was Janine. The young woman lay curled in a ball.

Aeris pressed herself against the bars. “Janine?! What are you doing in there?”

Janine quickly rushed to the other side and hugged Aeris through the bars. “I’m so glad you’re here! She’s gone crazy!”

“Your attendant was caught wandering the kobold sleeping quarters,” Sareen replied calmly. “Or rather, she was caught hiding in the closet. She was searched and several journals and other personal effects were discovered on her person.”

Aeris tilted her head. “Janine, what’s going on?”

Janine refused to meet her gaze.

“I believe she is talking to you, girl,” Sareen said with a low growl.

Aeris stepped between them and moved closer to block the young woman’s view of the Dracaena. “Janine, please. Tell me the truth.”

“I wanted to help Milan. After you said you wouldn’t help him he came to my room. He said Sareen had gotten to you and it was up to us to stop her.”

“And you believed him,” Sareen said. She snorted and slapped the floor with her tail. “Typical.”

“Sareen, let me handle this,” Aeris said. She continued to hold Janine’s gaze. “Keep going.”

“After the Grand Kobold got caught, he said it was the best time to find the truth. Since I’m your friend, he said nobody would ask me questions.” She looked on verge of tears, her voice breaking as she continued. “He said, there had to be records and stuff of what was going on and we just had to find them.”

She moved closer to the bars and lowered her voice. “Aeris, everythin’ he said about Sareen, it’s all true. I ain’t heard from Milan in days. I went by his room and it’s empty. The kobolds are sayin’ he was never here, but I know it ain’t the truth. We met him. He was real! If we don’t get outta here, the same’ll happen to us.”

Sareen sighed. “Foolish child. I had nothing to do with it. Milan wandered into the west wing. Likely, to look for more reasons to spread his canards. He came across Olyvia during one of her midnight strolls. We collected what was left of him and buried it.”

Janine’s eyes widened.

“But why the lie?” Aeris asked. “Why try to cover up that he was ever here?”

A short sarcastic laugh was Sareen’s reply. “And tell them what? That he was eaten by a dragon with a strong disdain for humans? No one would ever take the pilgrimage here again. I didn’t inform you because it wasn’t your concern.”

“Then why keep her around?!” Janine cried.

Sareen frowned. “Olyvia is the kind of the dragon you want within your sight. She is not someone you want running free.” She closed her eyes and her expression softened then she opened them again and said, “So, she was brought here to await your judgment. What will you do with her?”

Aeris’ tail curled around her legs. “What do you mean?” She knew exactly what Sareen was getting at. She was supposed to punish Janine for going behind her back.

“Well, she did something you clearly told her not to, she must be punished.”

Thinking of all of the horrible things that happened to others, there was no way she was going to do any of those things. But Sareen wouldn’t be satisfied with letting her go. Aeris considered yelling at her. If seemed angry enough, maybe it would be convincing. She could apologize to Janine later.

She was spared having to go through with anything by a light tap on her shoulder from Sareen who led her to the other side of the hall.

“You do not need to punish her now, but there is something we must discuss. I had hoped to save this until much later, but it seems nothing is going as I anticipated.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll need to form a pact with her. This girl is clearly out of control and the sooner you reign in her rebellious attitude, the better.”

“A pact? Like what dragons do? But I have to use my Call to do that...Are you saying I can use the Call on humans?”

“Of course. Many believe it isn’t possible, but if your will is strong enough, any creature will bow to your Call. Using it on a human is very advanced—only powerful Matriarchs succeed, but your aptitude for the Call is quite powerful. I suspect you’ve been affecting humans already.”

Thinking on it, there were several moments when humans suddenly started acting strangely around her. It never occurred to her that it could have been her Call.

“It seems you know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m sure you have questions, but they’ll have to wait.”

“If I do this, I can command her to do whatever I want, right?”

“You don’t need to form one to use your Call, but it does make it easier. More importantly, it will compel her to act in your best interests. She’ll stop doing things behind your back.”

Aeris replied without hesitation. “No. I won’t do it. I won’t force her to listen to me.”

“After what she did, you’ll still take that risk?”

“Janine is my friend and I trust her. She made a mistake, that’s all.”

“Very well.” She nodded to the guard who moved to unlock Janine’s cell. “I hope the day never comes that you regret that decision.”

Aeris didn’t reply. There was only one other human she trusted more than the young woman, but she didn't expect Sareen to understand.

The instant the cell door opened, Janine rushed out and wrapped her arms around Aeris’ neck. “Thank you, thank you! I was so scared I was gonna end up like the others.”

“It’s okay. I would never let anything bad happen to you. I promise.”