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AuRon flipped up the visor, the scarred face beneath wasfrom eyes, ears, nose, andunderwater
"Free the others," he said over his shoulder as he went to the gate Rov had fled, without even bothering to shut the gate
He returned to the dragonelle cavern "Natasatch, stay here with Ouistrela, Epinonia, and Alhala The rest of you, followcave"
"No, AuRon Saiuardian," Ouistrela said "If any are brave enough to coe Like poor Ktarata there"
So seven dragonelles followed AuRon up the tunnel They reached the chamber of Shadowcatch
"What fires this?" the black asked "I heard fighting, andwhat are you doing here, gray?" he said, extending his griff and giving a quick rattle
AuRon planted hi "I’ll have you know--"
Natasatch put her green length between the h of our eggs being stolen, our hatchlings being castrated You’ve gotten so fat, you’re due for the knife, too, I’d think! This gray is AuRon He’s killed the Dragonblade, and he’s taking us out into the sun"
"Don’t get in our way," another dragonelle said "Ouistrela tore one ear off, and I’ll take the other You can sit here and rot, or you can becoon naonblade?" Shadowcatch said, eyes wondering underneath his ar him Scared him to death, I think," Natasatch said
"Coin your own song with great deeds done bravely this day You’re a black I knew NooMoahk the ancient If any of his blood is in your veins, you’ll be a besung dragon soons can’t be broken like horses"
"Spoken like one with his dragonhood intact," Natasatch said "To the landing cave!"
The landing cave exploded, as if an unsuspected volcano had suddenly awoken beneath the cliff AuRon the Gray, Shadowcatch the Black, and the Dragonelles of the Isle of Ice ca stock launched themselves out of the cave in confusion AuRon, Natasatch, and Shadowcatch tore through the Dragonguard, the riders, and the few keepers who took up weapons Shadowcatch cornered the survivors down a cave used to hang tack, and bellowed threats until they thren their weapons and caer to stab Shadowcatch, the other humans restrained him
"You fool, he’ll burn us with you," the others said
The dragonelles heard the confused cries of hatchlings even froreen sea Young drakes saw onelles hunted through the wreckage until the last hatchling was under their care Only then could AuRon cal
"You may take to your boats and leave," AuRon commanded the captives "Take your wars, your hatreds, elsewhere This island is forfeited to the dragons you abused"
AuRon was relieved beyond words There was still sostock and drakes, still hid in their lairs, waiting for the order they had been bred to wait for They would have to be taken in hand and taught to be dragons again There would be those who could not survive on their own, of course Some he would lead to Naf, soht be used in case of more attacks from the other tribes under the Wyr , for a start
"Are you ready to fly?" he said as they stood beneath the ruins of the watchtower In the distance, the lodge of the Wyr stock searched the island for uard
Natasatch stood happy in the Sun "I’d forgotten hoar up at the yellow blaze "She makes me feel clean"
"Enjoy it She only visits this island once in a while Rain and h it never gets very cold here, just as it never gets warm The sea, you know"
"Weather doesn’t s"
"Only if you will sing toas wide as a cloud, and launched herself into the sky She flew unevenly until she found her balance
AuRon followed, rose up under her, and sang:
Line of AuNor, dragon bold
Flows to h years lost in the mist
My blood names a famous list
By Air, by Water, by Fire, by Earth
In pride I claim a noble birth
From EmLar Gray, a deadly deed
By his flahters dark
And took his reward: a golden ark!
My Mother’s sire knew battle well
Before hies fell
When AuRye Red coursed the sky
Elven arrows in vain would fly,
He broke the ranks ofh Father’s blood
A river of strength in fullest flood
My egg was one of Irelia’s Clutch
Her wisdom passed in mental touch
Mother took up before ever I woke
The parent dragon’s heavy yoke;
For ht blackened knife