Thayle spent most of the morning talking with Lilly, who was still not recovered from her time with the Doan. A few nights in her husband's arms had helped, but she still felt guilty it happened in the first place. She was also angered that the Doan would consider her a wife even if Hurrock died. So long as she was alive, some member of his bloodline would claim she was his wife. Thayle did her best to make Lilly understand that what they believed didn't matter. More to the point, the divines must have meant to happen as it resulted in many positive outcomes. It saved the army from being ambushed and provided key information to delay the fight. It also resulted in Rose and Sophia being returned to their arms, relieving a burden of guilt Gersius had carried all this time. Sarah was a new being, delighted in the return of her daughter and showing an emotional side that had gone unnoticed.

She and Lilly went off to be alone and made love beside a little stream while talking about the early days when they had just admitted their love. It was a moment of peace that helped Lilly to open up as she began to cry over her ordeal.

“I thought I could change their minds,” she sobbed as she curled into Thayle’s arms. “But all they did was let me believe they cared. It didn’t even show up as a lie!”

“That's because they didn't lie,” Thayle replied. “They told you they would listen to what you had to say, but they never said they would care. I am sorry you had to learn this lesson this way, but some people can't be changed by words alone. They honestly believe they are right and will not accept any evidence to the contrary. They saw you as a fool who had come under naive beliefs and was easily manipulated. To them, your presence was a means to emotionally harm Gersius and gain favor with their masters.”

“But why would anybody be like that?” Lilly asked.

“Because they have been told what to believe all their lives,” Thayle said. “They have a culture that doesn't allow deviation from the traditions and punishes people for thinking for themselves. To them, their culture is all that matters, and all you were doing was insulting them by suggesting it could be wrong.”

“So, how do we reach them?” Lilly asked.

“I hate to say this, sweety, but we reach them by bleeding them so badly they can't afford to stay so closed-minded,” Thayle replied. “The only other way I can think of would be to expose some core element of their beliefs as false. But, it would have to be done in such a way that they could no longer deny they were wrong.”

“I wish I knew how,” Lilly said with a sniff.

“Oh, sweet Lilly,” Thayle sighed and brushed her head. “Even after all that, you are still trying to find a way to save them?”

“I want the war to end for humans and dragons,” Lilly said, looking up. “Look at all the death so far. How many more of both our peoples will die before it's over? We don't even know how many dragons are left.”

Thayle always wondered that herself, but surely there had to be several hundred scattered around the world. Still, the death of thirty thousand humans was a tragedy, but only a dozen dragons was catastrophic. Their numbers were so low that they could not afford the losses, and every battle saw more dead. Lilly took every one of those deaths personally, even praying over the bodies of her enemies to ask Balisha to take care of their souls. She had done so for the dead dragons in the north but that had brought on a whole new line of questioning. Who killed those dragons and why? Were they helping Gersius win his war, or were they a third party? Why was the area buried in snow, not ice like an ice dragon would have caused? Was it a divine, breaking the laws of the earth mother and interfering with events? If it was a dragon, how had a dragon of that size and power remained hidden for so long? Is this the same being who killed Numidel, and if so, were they hostile to the rest of the dragons?

Nobody had the answers, and they didn't have time to ponder the questions. Alayse wanted her army ready to march in one day and was pushing hard to get them ready. Gersius was concerned about the number of dead yet to be buried, but Sarah offered a suggestion. Pile the bodies and she would burn them, reducing what was once the great strength of the Doan to ash. That would happen this evening, and the army would march in the morning.

“Burning them seems wrong,” Lilly said as she read Thayle’s mind.

“I am sorry, sweetheart,” Thayle replied, stroking the sad dragon's cheek. “But it will take us days to bury them all, and we can't just leave them to rot. This is the best course of action to avoid some disease setting in and spreading to the nearby towns.”

“Gersius said the same thing when we killed those bandits,” Lilly said as she thought back. “He let me eat them so the farmer's wife wouldn't have to deal with the bodies.”

“I wish you would stop reminding me of that,” Thayle sighed.

“You don’t have to worry,” Lilly replied. “I don’t want to eat humans anymore. I don’t see you as I did back then.”

“I am very glad to hear you say that,” Thayle agreed, pulling Lilly close. She could see the dragon's thoughts as Lilly relived her time with the Doan wise ones and witnessed their cold-hearted deception. “Please think about something else,” Thayle pleaded, rubbing the woman in her arms. “Why don't we think about that night Gersius stood watch over us while we made love.”

“Oh, that night you got mad at me for blowing frost on your….” Lilly began but Thayle cut her off.

“You know what,” Thayle said as she interjected. “Let’s think about a different memory.”

“I will always remember the night you first told me you loved me,” Lilly replied, looking over the water that slowly flowed over smooth rocks worn by years of flow.

“I was very afraid to tell you that,” Thayle admitted. “I didn’t want to get involved in your relationship.”

“Yes you did,” Lilly laughed. “You just didn’t want to admit it.”

“Well, maybe I did,” Thayle agreed with a smile. “But I had no idea you two were trying to make that happen.”

“Gersius didn't want to put too much pressure on you,” Lilly said as she got more comfortable. “He said if I pushed too hard, I might drive you away. I thought I had done just that the night you got up and walked away.”

“You two had me so confused,” Thayle sighed. “You were openly flirting with me with your husband sitting right beside you. I had no idea what to think, and he wasn’t giving me any indication of his intentions.”

“Well, it all worked out for the best,” Lilly said. “You and Gersius had that talk, and he eventually bound you.”

“Now that was frightening,” Thayle said as a chill ran down her spine. “Letting him have complete control of me like that.”

“Do you remember that moment?” Lilly asked.

“I will never forget it,” Thayle said.

“Imagine it for me,” Lilly asked. “I want to see it in your thoughts.”

Thayle closed her eyes and tried to recall the scene as Gersius took her to a small ruins outside the city. It was here he ultimately rejected her, fearing that he had misread her intentions. However, he changed his mind when she told him the truth that she had promised Lilly to share her true name. She visualized the entire conversation and saw the moment she knelt before him, and the binding began.

“You were so frightened,” Lilly commented.

“Weren't you frightened when he bound you?” Thayle asked.

“I was terrified,” Lilly replied. “But it was let him bind me or die.”

“When he brought me back to you and put us together while he slept in the other room, I was so relieved,” Thayle said.

“I always thought that was funny,” Lilly said. “You encouraged me to go to his arms, yet you couldn’t do it.”

“Lilly, you couldn't get pregnant at the time,” Thayle pointed out. “It was very different for me. I wasn't keeping track of my cycle and was sure I would be pregnant in a week.”

“He was so careful to give you time,” Lilly agreed. “He never pushed you to open up.”

“No, because he's the most patient and understanding man I have ever met,” Thayle agreed.

“It’s funny you were so afraid of getting pregnant, and yet you did it intentionally later,” Lilly said.

“That was because I was settled, and I saw how much your child meant to him,” Thayle replied. “I promised you both I would have children for you, and I desperately wanted to begin. I knew the timing was bad and I was making a mistake but I so badly wanted him to know I was willing to do it.”

“You made him so happy,” Lilly agreed. “And then Sarah demanded to know why he did it.”

Thayle tried not to giggle at the image of Sarah and Gersius arguing over Thayle's egg, but the image was too hard to suppress. She and Lilly began to laugh at the image, and Lilly finally began to emit low, soothed growls.

“I love you,” Lilly sighed. “My dragon treasure.”

“I love you too, my little flower,” Thayle replied, stroking her head. It was only then that she looked up to see the funny expression on the face of the nearby woman. She stood tall and graceful with long red hair running down her back and blazing eyes that looked part angry, part perplexed. She wore one of Sarah's red dresses, tied with a golden belt at her waist that accentuated her figure. “Rose?” Thayle gasped when she saw her causing Lilly to look up. “What are you doing outside the camp?”

“My mother said she had other duties to attend to and your human guards got out of my way,” Rose replied as she folded her arms. “Why are you two touching like that?”

“We are hugging,” Lilly replied. “It’s a simple way of showing affection.”

“And you don't find it strange to show this affection to a human?” Rose asked.

Lilly shook her head and lay it back on Thayle's shoulder with a smile. “Thayle is my wife, and I love her. This is the part of life that makes it enjoyable, and I feel no shame in it.” The look on Rose's face said she still didn't understand, but that was going to take time. At least she had chosen to stay with them where they would be on hand to answer her questions and help her along. Thayle invited her to sit with them and be still for a bit, and to her surprise, Rose accepted her offer.

“So talk to us,” Thayle urged. “Tell us what is on your mind.”

“I am tired of answering questions,” Rose replied. “My mother has been asking them for hours, and I keep giving her the same answers.”

“We aren’t asking any questions,” Thayle said in a calming voice. “This is your chance to talk about what you want. If you have questions, you can ask us and we will answer.”

“You must want to know about something,” Lilly insisted. “This is a big change for you.”

“Yes,” Rose agreed. “There is something I want to know. Will there be more food like we had in the dream?”

“I can’t believe it,” Thayle groaned and rolled her eyes. “All you dragons are the same.”

“What? Lilly asked as she smiled wide. “We happen to enjoy food.”

“Sleeping and eating are all you do,” Thayle countered.

“And we make love,” Lilly replied and squeezed Thayle. “Or at least I do.”

“Is there something wrong with my question?” Rose asked with a flare of irritation in her voice.

Thayle explained how Lilly, Shadros, and even Sarah quickly became more cooperative once they had experienced human food. All three of them asked about meals frequently and Lilly was known to raid the food wagons for treats.

“I like those sticks they have,” Lilly said.

“It's called cinnamon, and you are not supposed to chew it,” Thayle argued.

“It tastes good,” Lilly replied with a shrug.

“So it seems that you dragons have a fondness for our food,” Thayle said. “And to answer your question, yes, there will be more food but maybe not as fancy as that. We are a marching army, and sitting down together for a specially prepared meal will not be possible.”

“But there will still be foods you will like,” Lilly insisted. “They make those meat pies you tried.”

“Can we go back to your valley?” Rose asked.

“If you mean in the dream, then yes,” Lilly said. “I am sure we can arrange to spend a little time there. But the army has to march, and we can't stay asleep unprotected. We have to march with them.”

“I meant to go back now,” Rose corrected. “Why are we staying here?”

Thayle understood her point of view because it was one Shadros had early in his binding. He couldn't understand why they had to fight and win the war. To him, it was easy enough to fly away and let somebody else worry about it. Thayle carefully explained how they were the empire's rulers and, as such, they could not turn their back on duty. They had to see this war through to its conclusion and ensure the empire won.

“You must understand duty,” Lilly insisted. “You were serving the Gorromogoth.”

“I was obeying a superior dragon,” Rose corrected. “As is our way.”

“I am beginning to hate hearing how people and dragons do things because that is how they always did them,” Lilly grumbled. “Why can’t anybody see it isn’t working?”

“You have to be more patient, Lilly,” Thayle urged. “When a culture forms they often develop a way of life that works for them under their current circumstances. That culture then teaches that way to its children and theirs until they forget why they even started it. Once it's that deeply rooted, it's hard for people to cast it aside. Look at how hard you found what Gersius tried to teach you. It was his patience with you that allowed you to grow and begin to understand.”

“I suppose,” Lilly sighed and looked at Rose. “And I am sorry. I should not have become angry at you for being honest.”

“You are willing to admit you were wrong to another dragon?” Rose asked. “Why do you behave so strangely?”

“Because I have been free of the curse long enough to learn things from the human perspective,” Lilly replied. “I want you to feel like you are a part of this family and to know that we love you.”

“I do not understand this word you call love,” Rose replied. “My mother has tried to explain it to me for hours, but it still eludes me.”

“That's because you aren't bound to anybody,” Lilly said with a smile. “You need to find a partner you can form a relationship with; then love will grow, and you will finally understand.”

“You know, I always found it odd that religious orders teach people how to do a binding ceremony,” Thayle said. “Who did they think they were going to bind? Hardly anybody knows their true names, and the few that do would never share them.”

“Maybe they teach it just for us,” Lilly suggested.

“Why did you let the human bind you?” Rose asked as she looked confused. “Did he command you to do this love for him?”

Thayle and Lilly tried not to laugh at her mistaken understanding of love. Lilly then explained that she was originally bound to Gersius because she was dying and he didn't trust her. Rose listened intently and was shocked when Lilly described how Gersius set her free. She then did her best to elaborate on how empty she felt inside and how she wanted to feel connected to him again. She went into great detail about how Thayle helped her understand that her need was love. Lilly had fallen in love with Gersius and wanted to be a part of him again.

Thayle cut in and explained the incident with the lover's mark and how they worked. Rose didn't quite grasp the idea, but she understood that this mark had worked for Lilly, proving her love for him. Lilly then finished the story by explaining how she asked Gersius to bind her again. She teared up as she set the scene and described them binding each other. Rose was taken aback that such a thing could be done and even more surprised that Thayle and Sarah were also part of the bind.

“That was what he meant when he said that two dominated your heart,” Rose said before telling them that the Gorromogoth was enraged at Lilly's refusal to kill Gersius and how she resisted his domination.

“Wait,” Lilly said as she sat up. “What did I resist?”

“His power is great,” Rose explained as she looked nervous. “He can command lesser dragons as if they were bound to him. He said the first time he tried to command you that your binding to the man Gersius protected you. So he took you to a shrine where that power could be broken for a short while.”

“So that's why they did that,” Lilly said, looking at Thayle.

“But you were also bound to Thayle,” Rose said. “So when he broke your binding to Gersius, she still protected you.”

“I was bound to Sarah as well,” Lilly said. “And I doubt his power would have worked on me anyway.”

“Why would you say that?” Rose asked. “I have never seen a dragon resist his commands.”

“Because I am not bound to Solesta's curse,” Lilly replied. “I don't feel that madness anymore, and I am willing to bet that's what his power is rooted in.”

“Maybe it’s a power common to old dragons,” Thayle suggested. “Sarah can sense the flow of power from dragon to human. She knew with just a glance that Gersius had dragon gifts.”

“My mother never mentioned anything like that,” Lilly countered. “And she is very old.”

“We should try to contact your mother,” Thayle said. “She might be a valuable ally in the coming conflict.”

“I don't know,” Lilly replied as she thought back to the statue in the plaza. It was of her mother, claiming she was the dragon that once stood at the side of the dragon knight.

“What are you thinking about?” Thayle asked. “I see that statue in your mind.”

“That statue is Hellicana Orthane, and you know it's my mother,” Lilly replied. “What I can't work out is how she could be the dragon of the original dragon knight. Even a thousand years ago, my mother would have been larger than Sarah. So how could a dragon of her size have been a mount for a man?”

“How old is your mother?” Thayle asked, realizing the question had never been asked.

“I don't know,” Lilly replied. “All I know is she is old and wise. Where my hoard, mixed with the other dragon's hoard, filled that temple, my mothers would have filled the plaza outside. And her hoard was full of human things. She had books, furniture, armor, statues, scrolls, paintings, a big mirror, even a bed.”

“Your mother is a bigger mystery than what is happening here,” Thayle laughed. “Did you never think to ask her where she got all that?”

“She told me it was all given to her as gifts,” Lilly replied.

“So your mother still lives?” Rose asked.

“She should,” Lilly replied. “She lairs far to the east, well beyond the valley and close to the sea.”

“She's closer to my homelands than your cave,” Thayle said.

“You should tell her to stay away,” Rose stated. “If the Gorromogoth learns about her, he will try to recruit her by force if necessary.”

“He would invite disaster on his head,” Lilly replied. “One thing I know very well about my mother is she is a terribly powerful weaver. She rarely spoke about it, but I saw symbols in her cave that were used in the compounds to contain the women of Ulustrah. She knows the magic from when it was at its peak and hasn't lost any of it.”

“Your mother knows how to weave divine symbols?” Thayle gasped. “Lilly, why didn’t you ever mention this before?”

“What good will it do?” Lilly asked. “She's weeks away and more than likely asleep. We don't have time to fly off and find her, and even if we did, she wouldn't participate in this war one way or the other. She doesn't care what happens in the world, so long as her sleep isn't disturbed.”

“I suppose you're right,” Thayle said as she let the thought go. She wanted to meet this dragon who gave birth to such an amazing daughter, but that would have to wait. For now, they had more than enough on their hands, and supporting Rose on her awakening must be prioritized.

They spoke for a few more hours before Thayle suggested they head back. Rose asked questions as they walked, most of which centered on why she had to wear a dress. Lilly answered that one, telling her it was improper for a woman to run about naked before others. Rose explained they were naked in their dragon forms, but Lilly insisted it was different.

The conversation eventually turned to Rose's concern for her hoard. She had hidden in the northeast, in a snowy mountain range where she didn't think the others dragons would find it. Still, she didn't like the idea of it being so far away and asked how Lilly tolerated it.

Lilly surprised her again, telling her she had no hoard besides Thayle and a small amount of gold she used in the camp. She then told Rose how her hoard was stolen and then found again in the battle of Calathen. Lilly then sacrificed her hoard and the others to power a healing spell strong enough to bring Gersius back from the dead.

Rose accused her of lying, but Thayle insisted it was true and explained how Lilly became a little smaller due to the power she used. Rose was dumbstruck by the idea that a dragon would consume her own hoard to aid a man, but Lilly assured her that love was more important.

As they reached the edge of the camp, they came across a strange scene as a man and woman aggressively sparred. The man held a large sword in both hands, dancing his blade in practiced swipes. The woman, danced around him, putting her size and smaller weapon to use as she tried to tire him out by forcing him to maneuver.

“I am not going to play your game,” Jessivel said as he smiled at Alayse.

“You only won because you were lucky,” Alayse insisted as she looked over her shield. “You can’t keep that pace up for very long.”

“What are they doing?” Rose asked as they reached the edge of the clearing the two were using. “Are they trying to kill one another?”

“They are sparring,” Thayle replied. “It's a test of combat skill and meant to be nonlethal.”

“Did anybody tell that to Alayse?” Lilly asked as she watched the woman lunge with her slender blade, nearly carving Jessivel open.

Thayle nodded in agreement that Alayse was being too aggressive, but they stopped to watch the fight unfold. Jessivel used the reach of his weapon to keep her at bay and did as little maneuvering as possible to save his strength. Still, the weight of that sword was taking its toll and soon sweat beaded on his brow. The fight continued for a few minutes with neither gaining any advantage over the other.

“Alayse really is good at the sword,” Lilly commented when Alayse executed a skillful three-swipe attack.

“She's as good at it as any man and better than most of them,” Thayle replied. “I know it's bad of me to say so, but I always found her aggressiveness attractive.”

“I like her curly hair,” Lilly said. “And she has such pretty lips.”

“Why are you talking about her like this?” Rose asked as the battle suddenly took a strange twist.

Jessivel used his sword to try and trip Alayse, who rolled over it, using her shield and momentum to come up quickly with a cut. Jessivel seemed to be anticipating that response, and she found her sword batted wide and stepped on as he stood over her.

“I am afraid I win again,” he said and reached a hand out to help her up.

“You are not beating me twice!” Alayse growled and took his hand.

“It's your own fault,” Jessivel said as he pulled her up. “I can always count on you to choose the most aggressive response. You never vary your reactions, it's always attack, attack, attack.”

“It’s worked for me in the past,” Alayse countered.

“I am sure it works for an opponent that isn't trying to outlast you,” Jessivel replied. “I have all the time in the world to wait for you to make a mistake.”

“This isn't over,” Alayse snapped, then took a softer stance before leaning in to kiss him.

“My!” Thayle gasped. “Do my eyes deceive me?”

“What are you doing here?” Alayse growled as she pulled away with flushed cheeks.

“We were just walking back to camp,” Thayle replied as she approached with Rose. “Why are you two trying to kill each other?”

“She insists on proving she deserves to command the army by force of arms,” Jessivel replied with a shake of his head. “I keep telling her she deserves to command it because she's the best general Gersius has.”

“You still beat me in that duel!” Alayse countered. “By right, you are the one in charge.”

“I stepped down,” Jessivel replied.

“You can't step down. I have to defeat you,” she countered.

“Are all humans this violent?” Rose asked.

“No, these two are special,” Thayle said as she tried to contain her smile.

“Don’t you give me that,” Alayse said as she turned her gaze on Thayle. “You know full well how I hate to lose.”

“I know that’s what drove us apart,” Thayle said. “You can’t stand not being the one leading the charge and winning the glory.”

“I am a soldier,” Alayse stated indignantly as Rose began to sniff the air. They all paused in their debate as Rose stepped closer to Jessivel, sniffing at him before leaning in close enough to touch him.

“Umm, what is your dragon doing?” Alayse asked.

“He smells so good,” Rose said as she reached for him, but Jessivel quickly stepped back.

“Oh, humans smell like that when they sweat,” Lilly explained. “It is the most wonderful smell in the world.”

“It is not!” Thayle argued and pulled Rose back as she fussed over being touched. “I will never understand what you dragons smell in that. He smells like an ale that’s been left in the sun for a week and gone sour.”

“Alayse smells a little like I, too,” Lilly said as she sniffed the woman's way.

“I do not, and now I want a bath,” Alayse said as she stepped back.

“Lilly, please tell me you fell in love with Gersius because you found him charming and not because he smelled like an unwashed dog,” Thayle demanded.

“I can’t help it,” Lilly said with a shrug. “That doesn’t smell bad to dragons.”

“You need a dragon for a wife then,” Alayse said with a smirk at Jessivel. “Somebody to appreciate that stench.”

“Why? Your fiery temper is more than enough to keep me warm,” Jessivel replied.

“I do not have a temper!” Alayse stamped, then folded her arms and looked at the red-haired woman beside her. “And you, are you sure you don’t know the strength of the Doan on the northern end of the borders?”

“If I were not sure, I would not have said so. I did not handle such things as I have already explained a dozen times,” Rose replied with an icy glare.

Thayle noticed a strange look in Alayse’s eyes as she took in Rose with an almost appreciative smile. Her aura showed a slight hint of arousal that immediately concerned Thayle as she was all too familiar with that pattern.

“Come, Rose,” Thayle urged. “We should find your mother.”

“My mother said she was busy,” Rose countered.

“Then let's go and see if we can find you something to eat,” Thayle urged, taking Lilly by the hand.

“Yes, you should go and enjoy something of our culture,” Alayse urged. “We can talk later if you like.”

“Why would I talk with you?” Rose asked. “Are you related to me by some human contract as well?”

“No,” Alayse replied with a smile. “I just wanted to make the offer. I see no reason why we can’t be friends.”

“We need to go,” Thayle said and shot Alayse a glare meant to threaten the woman, but Alayse only smiled and waved them off.

“Why did we need to go?” Lilly asked as they hurried away.

“Because I know Alayse, and I know that look in her eyes,” Thayle answered.

“What look?” Lilly asked innocently.

“The look that says I see something I want,” Thayle replied, glancing at Rose. “And I am not so sure it is safe for her to pick flowers in that particular garden.”