Ann and Andy entered the karate studio. It was after the last morning class, and they knew they would have time to talk with John before the next class. John did a double-take when he saw them. Andy didn’t know if he was just surprised to see them or if Ann’s regal bearing had something to do with it. She might have been wearing jeans and a simple blouse, but the way she carried herself screamed royalty. “Emissary Shintanillic, greetings from my father, King Emeton the uniter of Menthanla. Emissary, we have not yet been formally introduced. I am Princess Annlonna Mathis ton Tylan Emeton, ambassador of Menthanla and this is my husband, Prince Andrew Stephen Mathis, ambassador of Menthanla. My father wishes that we meet with you.” John’s bearing changed as she spoke. He too became more formal. “It is an honor that the King of Menthanla might grace me with a delegation.” He bowed. “However, I have not been on Torthoc for several centuries. I do not know what help I may be to him.” “It is because you have been here he feels you may help.” “What is this about?” “John, it’s your lunch break. We can talk while you eat,” Ann said relaxing slightly. John nodded. “Thank you, your highness.” “We’ve been friends. Do we need to stand on formality?” She asked smiling. John smiled too. “I’ve always hated the stiffness of court.” Ann nodded. “So do I.” “Did Nim tell you who I was?” “Emissary Nimitinas is currently stationed at the summer palace. It was his duty,” Ann informed him. “Nim’s an emissary? How did that happen?” “You don’t have that long of a lunch break.” Ann smiled. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize your accent,” John said shaking his head. “It’s been too long.” “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you as a dragon,” Ann said. “Are you that familiar with us?” She showed him her tattoo. He frowned and touched it. Then, his eyes grew wide. “You’re also Baj-tisk?” “And you?” He turned to Andy. Andy showed him his forearm. His eyebrows rose. “A white dragon?” “My wife has earned the nickname White Wyrm. Nim chose to honor that.” “Nim told me you two were married. Congratulations.” “Thank you.” They both said. “What does the king want from me?” “We’re looking for Mishtali.” Suddenly, John became nervous. “What makes you think he's here?" "He contacted Ann and told her he was, but we don't know where exactly," Andy explained. "We thought he might be your friend, Mitch." John sighed. "Come with me." He went to lock the studio door. Then, he led them across the studio to the basement. In all the time he'd worked there, Andy had never been allowed down there. There was only one large room. It was likely John could take true form in there. Andy saw a few blue scales. It was probably where he shed. The room also contained several items Andy recognized as from Torthoc and a safe he'd bet Sapphire would have trouble getting into. Andy wondered if he kept his vial in there. "Mitch is Mishtali," John confirmed. "During the battle, there was an explosion. It threw us here. Mishtali and I were both changed to human form. Back then, the area near where we landed was a grassy field. It hid me from Nor’than. Otherwise, I wouldn't be alive. I woke just as Nor’than captured Mishtali. "I've spent the last five hundred years trying to find a way to free him while keeping from getting captured. Nor’than knows I'm here. He somehow caught us talking telepathically. The only reason he hasn't caught me is that he's focusing on some project. He's been taking something back and forth to Torthoc for years. I haven't been able to find out what. I believe Lyra is involved or was. Mishtali says he sees her trolls, but lately, they've been talking like she's dead." "She is," Ann confirmed. "She was killed several months ago." "How?" "Someone dropped the Dragon's Roost on her." John smiled. "If only that person would do the same thing to Nor’than." "Why do you think we're here looking for him?" Ann smiled. "You need to be careful of Mishtali. Nor’than not only has him collared, but he's also been drugged. Nor’than has control of him and his magic. When he's free, he may help, if he isn't too stone." "Thanks for the warning." Andy nodded. "If you get him free, take him back to Torthoc right away and get him to the strongest healer you can find, Thailyn, if he's around. Like I said, he's been drugged. And it's been for a long time. He's going to need serious help." "We have a healer here who is almost as strong as Thailyn," Ann assured him. "Good. I'll help where I can. I'll find out where Mishtali and Nor’than are. Usually, they're in the corporate building, but they do move around some too. I can't cast though. I can't use backlash, and regular magic is almost impossible. The last time I tried, I was on the verge of a trance for almost a month." "Was that when you were so sick just before Chrissy died?" Andy asked. "Yeah, I thought I'd found a way to help Mishtali, but it fell through." "We can take you back with us. Getting away from the copper might help," Ann offered. "I'm not leaving Mishtali. Besides, you can't use that gate. Nor’than's watching it like a hawk lately. Someone's used it and gotten past him." "We aren't leaving until Mishtali's free and Nor’than's dead," Ann assured him. "And if there's still too many trolls guarding the gate, I know a spell." "A spell? You'd have to be immortal yourself." "You're not the first to accuse me of that. I'm just strong. How do you think I earned the nickname white wyrm?" John's eyes narrowed. "You said Annlonna ton Emeton. What's the va?" Who were her birth parents? Ann smiled. "Some things are best kept quiet for now." John nodded, though his eyes wandered to Andy's tattoo. He walked them back upstairs and promised to get as much information as he could about Nor’than's location and contact them as soon as possible.