Meladee let Benham fly. She put her feet up on the dash and played with a bunch of string. “You know this game has nothing to do with cats. I am mildly…no majorly disappointed.”

Benham shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you. Complain to the colonists that brought it to Iruedim. Seems like they’re the ones you should tell.”

“Har de har har,” Meladee fake laughed. “You know, it’s good we got this job. We’re getting out of here. The last thing we need is to deal with this Volanter stuff. When we come back, I want to come back with a fleet of those weird-ass Scaldin maze ships.”

“Here, here,” Benham agreed.

The Halfmoon shot through the wormhole. It was a short trip for the little ship. They slipped in and right back out. In a blink, Meladee saw the solar system of Scaldigir – the back end of it anyway. Inez and Eder had dropped the wormhole in the bumfuck part of Scaldigir, where no one but frozen planets hung out.

“God, just jump.”

“After I get an updated scan. I’m also going to send a message, just to let them know not to shoot us.” Benham’s hands flew over the keys as he worked first on the message.

“Oh yeah. Definitely do that.” Meladee frowned at the view. “You know, I’m worried about Eva and Camellia…and the others. If we don’t hurry, they might be gone. Well, Camellia and Florian won’t. They’ll lay low and so will Eder. But, Eva has had it up to here with tentacles.” Meladee pointed to her temple. “Sten will follow her, and Rooks is going to go nuts trying to keep the Volanter off the planet.”

Benham swiveled his seat, in Meladee’s direction. “That’s why we hurry. Okay, message sent. Scan done. Let’s superliminal hop in.”

“Please state again what we know about this dragon.”

Pan didn’t know the arcane who’d asked. He had to be at least 120 years old. For the amount of wrinkles he had, he might even be older.

Pan gave a little shrug. “It flies and kills things. What else would a monster like that do?” Pan felt her eyes narrow. “I almost forgot. It can go underwater and in space. I suppose that’s special. Have I said that before?”

The elder arcane stroked his chin. “Yes, you did. But, I can’t help feeling there’s something you’ve really forgotten to tell us.”

Pan almost smiled. He was telekinetic, so he couldn’t know she lied. To ask that question and not have an inkling that a lie was involved, was very astute.

Pan hadn’t told them she could ride the dragon. She’d only done it in alternate timelines. Though Alban reported that the Volanter had familiar riders, he’d never said Pan was one. Sotir, who could look into alternate timelines, knew that Pan could do it. He’d run a time tree and saw some of what could have been – had been for Pan. She rode the dragon twice: once on a planet and once in space. Both times, they lost the battle.

Now all that had passed, and Sotir couldn’t get a clear look at those timelines. Though, he surprised Pan by having some knowledge of the alternate pasts. He showed continued improvement in his fortune telling, when he should have long since reached the peak. If he continued to improve and could see time trees in the past as well as the future, he might become something for the elders to fear. He might become one of them someday.

Then, she’d have someone high up on her side. Sotir hadn’t told them she was a familiar rider either.

Pan sat in silence. She let the elder arcane puzzle her out and gave the gathering a moment to think. Other elders betrayed their emotions, with their unique body language. An old woman eyed Pan, like she might have found precious metal – greed. An old man stared hard, looking concerned. He was a reaper hater for sure.

Pan looked away. She glanced behind her and gave the Mother Tree some admiration. The Mother Tree’s upper branches swayed, having caught a breeze from the exposed ceiling. The rest of the tree, with its squat trunk and thorough root system, didn’t move. It was hardly the biggest Mother Tree on Scaldigir, but it was close. Pan might have gotten the biggest killed in Kallitech.

A man cleared his throat. Pan faced forward and sat straight on her little chair.

This time she knew the speaker. Takis Igetis, most certainly not of Glyptik, headed the Scaldin government. He possessed no arcane power, but he did harbor the ability to make Pan nervous – just a touch. She’d seen him on television.

Pan folded her hands in her lap and tried to look innocent. “I’m not hiding anything. I just don’t want to go into detail about what the dragon does.”

She glanced at Sotir. His slight smile rested somewhere between a dare and feigned innocence. If he wanted to say more, he could. She wouldn’t stop him.

In addition to Sotir, Pan also had Alban, Kat, and Chara – all on her side, standing up for her. A pretty good turnout for a former reaper.

Alban raised his hand, not very high, but he raised it. “Remember, we saw some Volanter ride their familiars. They rode them out in space even. Now, this isn’t just a dragon. We have to remember, it’s a familiar.”

Sotir tried to hold back his smile and mostly succeeded.

Pan glared at Alban. He was supposed to be on her side, and he said the very thing she didn’t want him to.

“Can you do that?” the greedy elder asked.

“I shouldn’t know,” Pan said.

It was not a lie. She shouldn’t have that knowledge yet. It belonged to a bunch of less fortunate Pans.

The wrinkled man straightened and almost reached the height that he’d once had.

Takis pushed his chair back and stood up. “Why don’t we take a break? I just received a message that we’re about to have guests.”

“What kind of guests?” Alban asked.

“Iruedians.”

“I said they would be coming for help.” Alban put his hands on his knees and also rose.

“You did say that,” Takis said.

“Are we giving it?”

Pan watched Takis’ face. Then, her eyes flitted to Alban’s. Takis wore his discomfort. Alban wore his resolve.

Alban stood tall. “If we give them aid, we get all kinds of new playthings, allies, and an opportunity to train Pan against the Volanter. Not to mention a winning chance. We can’t beat them on our own.”

Pan bet he had some gold in him.

“We’ll see them.” Takis nodded. “Right away, and Pan can have her break.”

The official people hurried out of the room. Pan watched them go, never taking her eyes away. She wandered over to Chara and Kat.

“So, can you?” Kat crossed her arms.

“What?”

“Ride the dragon through space?”

Pan scratched at her neck. “Why would anyone want to do that? It sounds terrifying, disorienting…” It was a bit of those things, but it was also free and beautiful.

Kat sighed her frustration. “I’ve got to go. Looks like you’ll be on the Ischyros soon.” Kat touched Pan’s shoulder on the way out.

“With Sotir,” Pan added.

Kat stiffened but let it pass.

Chara hugged Pan. “Good luck. I’ve got to brief Irini on her new job. She’ll be helping to gather suppressant ore from asteroids.”

“When will you be one of those?” Pan nodded at the chairs for the elder arcanes.

Chara put a hand to her chest. “Me? Well, I have a chance of it, but Mother Tree knows I don’t want it. It’s still a ways off anyway. I’ll see you later, Pan.” With that, Chara gave Pan’s shoulder a squeeze and followed Kat.

“You could have told them,” Sotir said, with a smile.

Just the two of them remained. Well, three. Sotir and Pan – and the Mother Tree.

Pan gestured to the official chairs again. “Did you see the looks they gave me? One elder wanted to use me and my murdering. The rest were decidedly less comfortable.”

“I meant Kat and Chara. But, yes, they might make a mercenary of you. Just in case, I have a few contingency plans. Don’t worry.” Sotir guided Pan towards the tree. “Now, do you think you can get home?”

“We’re not staying to see the Iruedian representatives?”

“You’re not.”

Pan raised her eyebrows. “But, you are.”

He shook his head. “I actually want to talk to some of the elders. I think I might have a chance to convince them that we’re a good match. If I can, I want to get it on record.”

Pan held up her bracelet. “I shouldn’t come for that.” She searched the charms for their secret home.

Sotir nodded. “It should just be me. It’s a long shot, but I’m going to try. I can see a fuzzy way forward.”

Pan gave him a short nod. “Why don’t you take the good luck that Chara gave me.” She worked her way through the charms, and her fingers settled on the small picture of their cottage.

“Can’t you just give me some new luck?”

“Where would I get that?” Pan drew her portal, runes and all, and commuted home.

To Meladee’s great relief, the Ischyros orbited Scaldigir, along with one bigger ship and another of the same size. It was good to see a familiar face. Well, a familiar vessel.

No one shot down Halfmoon, and they got invited to meet with officials on the planet or on the Ischyros, whichever made them more comfortable. Meladee would have picked the ship, but she and Benham looked at each other for a long moment before they chose the planet itself. Meladee didn’t know why. It just seemed like an opportunity people close to her wouldn’t waste.

Meladee and Benham soared over greenery and smatterings of city buildings. Below waited Pittura, one of only three cities on Scaldigir. Benham gave the ‘city’ an amused huff. Meladee had to agree. It looked too green.

Benham set the Halfmoon down on a landing pad of stone. They landed in a forest clearing, but Meladee could see some buildings beyond the trees.

Benham shook his head. “I wonder how big the other two are.”

“Hey.” Meladee held up a finger. “Don’t you make that face in front of them. They think this place is a big city, and we’re going to pretend it’s a grand city. Got it?”

Benham nodded with vigor. “We will, but tell me you haven’t seen bigger cities.”

Meladee slipped out of her chair. “So, Groaza and Ponk have bigger cities for sure, but I wouldn’t say they’re nice places. This place…” Meladee gestured out the windshield. “This place is what a city should be.”

Benham bowed his head. “You’re right. Real green.”

They journeyed through the Halfmoon’s upper deck, took the ladder down, and stood a moment in cargo. Meladee hit the button and waited for the hatch to grind open. Slowly, she saw more of the trees, and then, she saw the grass. Buildings peeked through the trees, and some seemed rather tall. Meladee strode out, with Benham on her heels.

The first step Meladee set on Scaldigir rang over beautiful stone. Benham’s steps followed, and they strolled between the trees. Meladee put her hands in her pockets. She opened her mouth to speak. Instead, she caught sight of the city.

She stopped. Benham froze too. Meladee, agape, looked at Benham, and he stared back.

“Bigger than we thought,” he said.

So many of the buildings had greenery on top, and Meladee and Benham didn’t realize they were buildings at all, especially since the main spaceport had been plopped on the edge of a small forest. A few far-off skyscrapers towered above trees. Closer buildings reached shorter heights. Still, they were taller than the great trees.

Meladee narrowed her eyes. “You know…Dipinta trees were in Girandola all along. No wonder Rooks has some Volanter in her.”

Benham frowned. “When did you see Dipinta trees?”

Meladee felt a slow grin spread over her face. “Damn. I remembered something you didn’t. We saw Dipinta trees in that park on Rasamal. We saw dozens. Remember big Shroomy?”

Benham’s face went ashen. “Dipinta trees are in Girandola.”

Meladee patted his arm. “At least, there isn’t any Volanter in you.”

“Welcome to Scaldigir,” a familiar voice called. Alban strolled into their parking area. “It may displease you to know that no one aside from myself and a few others are very happy to have you here.”

Guards and a handful of politicians walked beside Alban, along with Gavain, the Scaldin ambassador that belonged to Aria. That was how Meladee thought of him anyway.

“We have got magic to trade that will knock your socks off,” Meladee promised.

“What Meladee means to say is that we know helping us is a big risk, so we want to show you the kinds of things we’re willing to trade now and after we solve our Volanter problem.” Benham stayed where he was, stiff and a bit out of his element.

“Oh, you misunderstand.” Gavain chuckled and waved a hand. “I think we’re going to help you no matter what you bring us. If only because some feel you’ve marked us for Volanter execution.”

Meladee raised an eyebrow at him. She hoped what he said was true. Camellia, Meladee, and Eva failed to procure the Finial’s help, except for those Girandolans they stole. Meladee didn’t want to repeat that. In fact, she thought Rooks should have sent more than just she and Benham. Maybe an ambassador? But, they had Gavain. He’d be better than any ambassador from Iruedim.

Meladee said, “Well, we want you guys to have our magic, and I would love to demonstrate it for an hour or two, but if you’re going to help us, we want you to come as quickly as possible.”

“You two stay and demonstrate the magic.” Alban headed to a tram nearby. “I’m going to grab Panphila and maybe Sotir. They snuck away already. Then, we’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Man, is our esteemed Curator Rooks going to be so glad to see you.” Meladee followed Benham to Gavain’s side.

Gavain waved them after. “I guess your Curator is confident in my abilities and loyalties. She’s leaving the negotiations to me, huh? Come along.”

Meladee had an audience of elder arcanes and political leaders, and of course, Ambassador Gavain. Normally, she would hate to be up in a public scenario, peddling wares, but they loved the stuff. Gavain had a look of wonder on his face, and he’d seen some of what Iruedians had to offer back in Volanter space. That look of wonder stood on every face, minus the arcane elders. They wore expressions more of eagerness, maybe hunger.

All hint of a slouch left Meladee’s back, as she showed off their wares. A breeze rustled the Dipinta tree’s topmost branches, and Meladee imagined that it clapped for her. She glanced at Benham. He rested in his chair, hands behind his head, eyes closed. She guessed he needed the sleep, but she wanted him to watch. Instead, she had Gavain, translating her every word.

“Last one. Unfortunately.” Meladee scooped up a ball. “I designed one of these about a year ago.”

She pried open the ball. Her version had been an egg, and it created cold air. She guessed the ball was just as good. She probably would have used a ball in place of the egg if she’d had one, but back when Meladee first met Camellia, she had to be resourceful.

Meladee held the ball up high. She glanced at the Dipinta tree, as a chill air poked through the fabric of her leggings and, no doubt, tickled the tree’s bark. “This one isn’t set that cold, but as you’ve probably noticed, it works fast, gets anything in a certain radius, or anything inside an enclosed space. I’ve sold a few of these bad boys to our trading partners on the equator.”

Gavain translated for the elders, who couldn’t understand. One or two, however, knew Volanter. Those arcanes watched Meladee with the most intent. They didn’t need to divide their attention between her and Gavain.

As Gavain finished, Benham opened his eyes and straightened in his chair.

One of the arcanes leaned forward – a man. He knew Volanter. “So, if we were unbound, you could teach any of us how to make things with inscribed circles?”

“Magical items. Yup. I could do that. Big if on the unbound though.” Meladee snapped the ball shut and tucked it under her arm. “That has to happen first.” Meladee cocked her head. “Plus, we might want to get a few more mages in on it.” Meladee pointed at the ball of cold. “This kind of magic isn’t easy, and it takes a long time.”

An elder raised an eyebrow – a woman. She was the second who could speak Volanter. “Panphila seemed to think you could help her learn that particular circle, with ease.”

Meladee frowned. “Which one?”

Gavain cleared his throat. “Unbinding. Pan finds it difficult. You were able to help her before, she believes you could help her again.”

“Oh, yeah. So, you want Pan to do it – for your entire population.” Meladee made a face. “I guess she could learn unbinding, but…that can’t be an easy spell. Binding spells and unbindings on Iruedim are pretty complicated, especially when they’re meant to be permanent.”

Gavain translated. Then, he listened to an elder. Under the old man’s prompt, Gavain asked, “But, you’ve done things like that before?”

Meladee laughed and shook her head. “Not really. But, someone on Iruedim could help her…probably.” Meladee shrugged. “Then, she learns the circle, and I guess she has to unbind all the arcanes…that’s going to suck.”

Gavain crossed his hands behind his back. “The arcane population is relatively small. If Pan unbound everyone, it might take a year or two of hard work, assuming she unbinds a certain number of people a day. But, if she can work in batches, it should be much faster.”

Meladee crossed her arms. She felt her eyes narrow as she weighed the plan. “Well, Pan did teach a whole ship how to speak Volanter in one shot, but that was an easier circle. Way easier. Could she unbind people in batches?” Meladee bit her lip. “Nah, I don’t think so. I think there’s some personal element to it. There always is.”

Gavain’s eyes widened a touch. “That’s not good news. Perhaps, once she unbinds one person, she can count on some help. Or, perhaps, an Iruedian version of the spell could offer assistance. Anyway, we have no plans to unbind anyone over the age of fifty. They would come last, if at all.” Gavain held up a finger. “Excuse me a moment. I have quite a bit to translate.”

Meladee gestured for him to go ahead. Gavain launched into an explanation of bindings. Meladee rocked on her feet. She smiled and gave Benham a hey you nod. He nodded back.

“You don’t have confidence that she could unbind our whole population?” the elder woman asked, the number two Volanter speaker.

Meladee startled. She held up a hand. “If you don’t want Pan to do anything else, sure – she could do it. Just expect it to take a while. Oh, don’t get me wrong. The girl’s a machine. I don’t know how she casts as much as she does. It’s just…you don’t know how hard unbinding is.”

“Spite.” The elder woman twirled a cane. “Pan is powered by spite.”

Meladee cocked her head. “Sounds about right.” She pointed to her chest. “I can’t talk though. I’m powered by fear, with a touch of panic.” Meladee made a pinching motion.

Gavain raised his hand and caught Meladee’s eyes. “We have an interesting question here. Would unbinding transfer to any children born from an unbound individual?”

Meladee glanced at Benham. She knew panic showed on her face, but she’d just told them about that. So, it was alright. “I mean it should, but I don’t know. Easiest test is to knock up Pan.”

That suggestion raised the eyebrows of the two elders, who spoke Volanter. Gavain translated the sentiment quick, and the rest of the eyebrows went up.

Meladee waved a hand. “Whoa, forget I said that.”

The elder man said, “It’s going to be hard to do that for Pan, considering she has her heart set on a man she shouldn’t.”

Gavain folded his hands and looked at them. They seemed very interesting.

Meladee’s eyes roved around the room. She didn’t really see any of it. “That Sotir guy? He’s good for her, real calm.”

Gavain translated it, but he didn’t look up.

The elders gave Meladee a collective withering stare.

Meladee chose not to say anything more. She, Benham, and Gavain were all uncomfortable. It was time to return to happy territory.

“Uh. Any other questions? Or, should Benham and I get ready to join that fleet?” Meladee jabbed her thumb back to the exit.

Gavain finally raised his gaze and translated the question.

And, to her pleasure, their answer was freedom.