The preceding days had been rough for Ana. Her benefactor had been livid that they’d lost Clive’s team, and she was fully unprepared for his anger. The bruises across her neck and jaw were purple and angry, but she was thankful nothing was broken.

I’ll give that fat fuck what he deserves… she thought as she envisioned his head rolling across the floor.

She’d had to scramble to put together a story telling of her former first mate’s bravery in uncovering everything they had in Baybreach. Ana told a hastily created tale of great fights in back alleys and stolen secrets from the lips of the very servants that worked in the palace. The whole charade had taken Clive’s death from an inexcusable loss to a tragic sacrifice for the betterment of everyone in the benefactor’s cabal. His son Darren had proven extremely helpful in providing the details to the story that had likely saved Ana’s life.

If that fool would’ve just run home instead of facing the dragon, we’d never have been in this situation.

The meeting hadn’t been entirely lost, however. As she reported her findings in Baybreach, her benefactor’s eyes lit up at the mention of Lazarus. The wild rage that was barely contained moments before was replaced with a gluttonous greed. The way his mouth watered at the thought was repulsive, but better than the beating she’d endured in front of the other members of her benefactor’s cabal moments before.

After hearing the plan for their attack, her rotund benefactor authorized a full raid on Baybreach with the fastest ships in his armada. Three ships with full 150 man crews each, all under her command, and the blessing to cause as much destruction as necessary to take Lazarus. Ana conveniently left out the other points of interest they’d discovered during their initial trip.

The old smith will be all mine. He’ll make me a weapon to amplify my Affinity and I’ll never be powerless again.

She turned from the railing on the second floor of the cafe across the harbor from her new fleet, and sat back down at the table behind her. Elizabeth sat across from her, enjoying a book while they waited for the preparations to be finished.

“Have everything planned out?” asked Ana.

“For the tenth time today, yes,” replied Elizabeth as she glanced up from her book. “The route is quicker than last time and the oracle says the sea will be calm for the next two weeks. With the lighter, faster ships we have this time around, we should make landfall in Baybreach in a couple weeks.”

“Just in time for the Winter Festival,” Ana mused.

“Just in time for their silly little festival,” agreed Elizabeth. “Honestly sister, I thought you’d be more excited. You’ve wanted to get some pent up frustrations out for a while now, and this is a perfect chance.” She leaned in closer to Ana and dropped her voice. “And if we can snag that smith along with Lazarus, the boss will be overjoyed with you. He’s sure to shower us with rewards!”

Ana smirked. We’ll take everything he has. If I step foot on this god-forsaken island again, I won’t leave until I’m queen.

“See? Stop your worrying!” Elizabeth said brightly. “With my charm, and your Affinity, we’re unstoppable!”

“Have I told you today that your unreasonable optimism is draining?” Ana said sarcastically.

“Well, someone has to brighten the mood,” Elizabeth replied. She closed her book and set it down on the table. “I’ll check over my charts one last time if it’ll set your nerves at ease. Go put some pep in the boys’ step, and we can put this terrible little nest behind us by sunset.”

Ana smiled at her sister. “Now that I can do. See you in a few hours.”

===========================================

In the days since their arrival, Talwen attempted to keep Rantenza busy with little lessons in mana control while she did the gruesome work of clearing the bodies and cleaning the sacred lava pool chambers.

The little baby dragon showed quite a bit of promise. One of the first lessons for a newborn Geschmolzen Red was learning to control the flow of heat from around their bodies. The elders, masters of heat manipulation, would languish within the lava pools for days, charging their bodies with the energetic properties of the molten lava. To survive for more than a few moments, though, required tight control.

Rantenza bounced across the surface of the lava, carefully warding her claws against the heat with each step. She wasn’t strong enough or skilled enough to protect her entire body, but alternating protecting her claws as she stepped across the lava was good practice for the young dragon.

Initially, Talwen watched with close attention, often not moving for several tense minutes as she was sure one misstep would spell the death of her child. The smallest slip would send her bounding over to save her baby from the lava, though the baby dragon quickly learned that she could save herself with a quick flap over her wings. Once Rantenza had proven that she was capable of protecting herself, Talwen relaxed and focused on the task at hand.

Properly preparing a dragon of the clan for burial was a days long process that involved several other dragons and specific rites. Scales were removed, flesh and bones were cleaned and prepared for use. Organs that could be used to help other dragons were readied for transplant. Service to the clan didn’t end with death for a Geschmolzen Red. Every useful piece was given a new purpose. Only the truly ancient were left alone, their scales and bones weak, and their muscles too frail.

Alone, Talwen didn’t have the time or skills to follow the old traditions. Body after body of her brethren were torn apart and returned to the lava, to melt and return to the eternal forge that had created them all.

The work was exhausting and depressing, but, with Rantenza around, Talwen knew she needed to complete the task. She could feel the ambient mana of this place. It would be the best place in the world for her baby to grow strong and develop a connection to the world and to her former clan. She pushed through the revulsion and depression and slowly cleared the room.

This was once a place of great learning. There are many lessons Rantenza can learn only here, among the fires of the Chenrel. I will return this place to its proper glory for her sake, and we will both be stronger for it.