Page 88 of Consort's Dragon
Because we needed a basin large enough to hold a copious amount of blood.The spire had an empty mine shaft.While Verlora, who you know as Argent, was tasked with hunting down Zhos and spraying it with blood to freeze it, the others and I laid our heads down by the edge of the shaft and let our throats be slit.From what I’ve managed to glean, it would appear they dropped Zhos into that pit of blood and used magic to freeze it, ensuring it would last longer.
“Then instead of hatching the eggs as promised, they were also used to secure the prison.”
Their presence would have kept the spell that froze the blood from degrading.Removing them would have caused the magic to fail as the blood lost its potency.Hence why Zhos can escape.
“Would putting the eggs back have made a difference?”
No.Once the spell began to unravel, nothing could stop it.
Avera digested what she was told before softly asking, “The blooded can dispel Zhos’ magic.Does that mean our blood would also paralyze it?”
Yes.But unlike dragons, you cannot be re-hatched.Leak too much of it and it would be a permanent death.
They both went silent after that, giving Avera time to think.To wonder.There had to be a way to kill Zhos, but how to discover it?The guardians had a thousand years to research and their only solution involved exiling it back to its world, which relied on too many uncontrollable factors.Paralyzing Zhos with dragon blood had already been vetoed by said dragons.Flying it through a rift was another impossible option without help.Even if they could convince the dragons—which seemed doubtful—what if that plan failed?
If they couldn’t expunge Zhos, then everyone would end up slaves… or die.
Chapter20
Griff found ridingupon the dragon’s back preferable to being carried around like a bag of potatoes.Warmer, too.The scales on Argent’s back radiated heat warm enough to make him drowsy, not that Griff fell asleep.
He couldn’t.He kept glancing over at Starlight and Avera, reassuring himself she truly was safe.Although safe might be a misnomer.They’d gotten rid of one threat—the emperor—but the initial ones—Zhos and the pretender on Avera’s throne—remained.Argent refused to discuss either matter, claiming they were human problems.
“What’s your plan now?”he asked the dragon.
Return you to the ship.
“And then what?”
The same as before.We shall seek out the guardians so they might be punished.
“By we, do you mean you and Starlight?”
You will help as well.
“I don’t know where they went, though.”
I’d say it’s rather obvious.
Griffon could have slapped himself.“They’re heading to Daerva to deal with Zhos.”
Most likely.
“Can these guardians fly the dragons that far?It’s more than a week’s sailing from Daerva to Merisu.”
No, they cannot.Like us, they will require a ship.
“If they’re sailing, that gives us a chance to catch up.”
Only if you can move your vessel much faster.I would imagine they flew to a port on the northern end of the continent, putting them ahead of us.
Griff did the math in his head.“We’re on the east coast of Merisu.By the time we arrive at my ship we’ll most likely be a day or so behind them.”He paused and added, “If we do manage to track them down, then what?”
You will kill the guardians.
“Because they’re blooded,” he muttered, assuming that was why the dragons couldn’t.“Taking out the witches won’t be easy.If the other dragons are being controlled, they’ll go after the non-blooded, possibly even attack you.”
I’m aware.Unfortunately, they will have a short resurrection if they attempt it.But once they are freed of the guardians’ control, I can ensure a quick hatching.
