Page 84 of For Ever More

“Your intended is loyal, Captain Shenming,” Lady Shila remarks.

These words jolt me; I’d almost forgotten the farce of our arrangement. While I have no desire to play this role, Shenming’s reputation is a thin cloak of protection. Moreover, I do not want to cause more trouble for him.

“Yet you have indeed failed us, Captain,” Lord Zhu says sternly.

“There will be no punishment,” Lord Hairong declares. “Captain Shenming did his best, his loyalty and capability cannot be questioned. The Queen of the Iron Mountains has grown too powerful—more so after securing the starfire from the waterfall.”

“A catastrophe that this piece is now in her possession,” Lady Shila says with a sigh. “Lord Jin-Yong was careless to not yield it before.”

Anger crests, that I restrain. How easy to find fault with others from the safety of these thrones.

“There was no chance,” Shenming explains. “The queen’s power is immense after uniting three pieces of the starfire, her attacks devastating. The Lord of Thorn Valley saved us; we owe him our lives.”

“Fortunately, we have one piece of the starfire here. We will do everything in our power to keep it from the queen,” Lady Shila vows.

“We are safe here; the forces of the Iron Mountains cannot reach us. Send word to Thorn Valley to guard the borders more closely,” Lord Hairong adds.

“We should also send reinforcements to them,” Shenming suggests.

A pause, the Elders conferring in hushed tones. “Not yet,” Lord Zhu says at last. “Given the danger, we need all our soldiers here.”

As Shenming’s mouth purses, Lady Shila asks, “What other news of the Three Kingdoms?”

“The Amber Forest has fallen to Queen Chunlei’s rule, and the Pearl Ocean will soon follow. They were threatened with destruction.” Shenming clears his throat to add, “The decay in Thorn Valley is worsening rapidly; we saw it when we rode through. They need aid.”

Shenming’s words surprise me—an opportunity. “We owe the Lord of Thorn Valley a great debt,” I say quickly. “We must support his people while he’s a prisoner. We should help him escape—”

“The affairs of Thorn Valley are not our concern.” Lord Hairong strokes his chin. “Their land has been supposedly afflicted by this decay for years, yet it still stands.”

“Our island is blessed with herbs and rare plants. If we are unable to send soldiers, perhaps there might be something here to help their land—to heal it?” I say carefully.

I’m watching the Elders, their expressions inscrutable. Lady Shila’s eyes flick briefly toward the adjoining building of their quarters—almost missed, had I not been paying attention.

“We know of no cure,” she says steadily. “Perhaps their land is cursed.”

I suppress the urge to ask about the wintergrass, Dian’s eyes boring into my back. She warned me it is forbidden by the Elders. I can’t risk revealing what I know, afraid to stir their wrath. It’s becoming clear they will not help Thorn Valley or Jin. I cannot falter now, when there is no one else. Otherwise Jin will remain the queen’s captive and I will have failed the Little Dragon.

“Enough with Thorn Valley, we have greater matters to deal with,” Lord Zhu declares. “If the Three Kingdoms are allied, we must protect ourselves.”

“Will the queen seek the Moon Dragon next if she needs her blood to unite the starfire?” Lady Shila asks Mistress Weining. “Guards should be deployed to the north of the forest where she remains.”

“It shall be done,” Mistress Weining says. “But since the Sun Dragon’s blood was used to unite the starfire in her possession, the same dragon’s blood must be used for the rest.”

A shadow of an idea forms; I must seek out the Moon Dragon to learn more.

“Then… are we safe?” Lady Shila asks. “With the Sun Dragon’s death, the starfire cannot be merged again.”

I dislike drawing attention, but must share this so they are aware of the danger. “The queen has stored the Sun Dragon’s blood from his captivity in the Iron Mountains. She will have enough for her needs.”

The Elders fall silent. “We must strengthen our defenses to keep our island hidden,” Lord Zhu commands.

“A confrontation could be inevitable,” Lord Hairong says, his expression contemplative. “After the Three Kingdoms falls, the queen will cast her eye to Thorn Valley—and then here.”

“Shall we help strengthen the Thorn Valley border? They guard us too, they need our aid to stand against the Queen of the Iron Mountains.” My sister’s tone is hesitant, unused to questioning the Elders.

“The Iron Mountains will never reach us here,” Lord Zhu says dismissively. “What happens to the world beyond is none of our concern as long as our people are safe.”

Shenming’s brow creases. “Perhaps I could lead a small party to Thorn Valley—”