“Being back here brings back memories,” Thailyn said as they surveyed the renovated castle to see if it was ready for the competition between schools. Pt’this nodded. “I’m trying not to think about that. You, me, and your sister had some good times here, but it ended so badly. I’m glad the Dragon’s Roost is gone. Seeing the rubble where Mirimar was hurt got to me the last time.” “You’ve been here since the war?” Pisha asked. “The city of Resdelk used this as a refuge when Lyra attacked. We were in the city when it was evacuated. Being back here where it happened with another chosen was difficult. I saw too many parallels. Sapphire put me on a deathwatch. I was upset enough that I didn’t even realize it for several days.” “How are you doing now?” Thailyn asked. “Better. I’ve worked with Wench.” “Is this your first time back here since the war?” Sapphire asked Thailyn. Thailyn shook his head. “I stayed here a few times while I was hiding from the council. It was difficult for me too. If Ruzi wasn’t in the competition, I don’t know if I would’ve come.” “I can’t believe they got as much of this place done as they did,” Ann said. “It helps to have mages with thousands of years of experience doing the work,” Thailyn reasoned. “Have you been here too?” Pisha asked Ann. “I almost died here.” “What? How?” “She was the one to kill Lyra,” Andy explained. “And in doing so, put herself so far into a trance no one could get her out.” “Fortunately, that was when Nor’than made Grandpa contact me. He told me how to bring myself out by reabsorbing magic from a spell I cast, like a charmed object,” Ann added. “I never heard. What did you use?” Thailyn asked. “I had cast a spell on my fireplace so that it would light whenever I was around.” Thailyn frowned. “Do you know how hard that spell is?” Ann shrugged. “It didn’t seem so bad. It was enough magic that I could assimilate other magic. I also use the brand Lyra gave me and Nim’s tattoo.” “You don’t still have that spell going, do you?” Thailyn asked. “No, Dad wouldn’t let me recast it. I did a poor job of removing the spell and the fireplace got encased in ice. There was quite a bit of damage from freezing and the water when it thawed. He felt it was best if I didn’t do that again. I keep my vial filled as much as possible now.” “We’ve all taken to keeping something with our magic in it as a precaution,” Andy assured him. “The college is encouraging the students to do the same.” “I wasn’t aware you can do that, but it seems like a good idea,” Pisha said. “I never thought I’d see this place again,” Kar told them as he and his survey team joined them. “You’ve never seen this place,” Ann told him. “This whole area is brand-new.” “Funny. You spend too much time with Green Bean here.” Kar gestured to Pt’this. “Who is still stronger than you and will transport a nest of spiders into your bed tonight if you keep calling me Green Bean.” Kar growled. Both of them flipped upside down. “Knock it off you two. You’re not ninety anymore.” John growled. “You’re both as bad as when you were kids.” “They were never kids together,” Nim reminded him. “Thank the creator. You thought Pt’this and Pt’bur were trouble together. Add Kar and there would have been a revolt. The whole place would’ve looked like Stone Forest.” He lowered the brothers to the ground “Where?” Pisha asked. The dwarf section. Each section had a nickname. There was elven Keep, Dragon’s Roost, Stone Forest, Stone Clouds, that was the gnome section which was above dwarves, and the human section was the King’s Inn.” “You know a lot about this place,” Pisha observed. “I lived here for fifteen hundred years.” “Have we found a good location for everyone?” Nim asked. “The Inn and Elf Keep are in good condition. They can stay there. The dwarves can use the barracks so they don’t have to deal with improperly portioned stairs,” Ann reported. “There’s a room in the main section that’s large enough to hold several dragons,” John added. “It’s large enough, but is the floor strong enough?” Kar asked. “We’re told, any area big enough for dragons has a floor strong enough,” John assured him. “The whole place is reinforced with magic,” Andy told them. “And it’s a lot stronger than last time we’re here. No one should be able to steal it this time.” “The contest could be held in the main hall,” Pt’this decided. “It’s big enough to hold everyone and allow a few of the dragons, at least, to take their true form.” “It’s settled,” Andy decided. “Let’s stake out rooms before we call the others.” “Go ahead. I’ll scry them,” Pt’this offered. “I already have a room here.” Carry frowned. “I thought the Dragon’s Roost was destroyed.” “He wasn’t in the dragon section,” John explained. “He was in the human section. Mishtali moved him there to keep him and Mirimar apart.” Thailyn laughed. “It didn’t help.” “Did your dad disapprove of Pt’this?” Carry asked. “No, he liked him. He just wanted Pt’this to finish his apprenticeship first. Eventually, he gave up and told them to hurry up and mate so Pt’this could get on with his studies.” Pt’this frowned. “But then Nor’than attacked.” “But she still became your mate,” Sapphire reminded him. Pt’this nodded and smiled. “She did. I had her for five hundred years and then I found you too.” He kissed her. “Let me show you the easy way to get to our room.” He led her off. “And we won’t see them for a few hours,” Ann laughed. “I’ll scry Dad. I already found a room that would be good for Andy, me, and Cari.”