Silver nodded and led the small group to another door, and out onto an inner balcony overlooking a large area. Motioning to Grisfam to stay behind with the light, he crawled forward to peer down, into the darkness below. The bottom was illuminated by torchlight, and Pyrios lay curled up restlessly on his bed.

Jing leaned over a little, looking around nervously. What if the dragon caught them? They would be so dead!

As they peered below, and their eyes grew accustomed to the light, they could see the mitchi from before cowering in one corner, and the dragonkin girl hanging from her wrists against one wall close to the dragon’s head. Once in a while he’d playfully run a claw along her side.

Keelin was crying quietly, hanging weakly from the chains. When ever the dragon touched her she would desperatly try and move away, but the chains stopped her.

Jing bit her lip as she saw them, shaking her head. How were they going to get them out?!

There was a soft knocking at the door, and the dragon turned to it, “Enter!” He called.

A hooded, cloaked figure entered the lair. “I have come at your command, Pyrio.” He said softly.

“Yes,” Pyrio replied, his talon scratching Keelin’s side “Remove the hood. I would see the faces of those I deal with.”

The figure cast his hood back, revealing one of the draiks that had been with Veldahar’s group.

Keelin let out a small cry of pain, trembling more. She didn’t look up at the one who entered, her face hidden by her dull yellow hair falling across her face.

Jing’s eyes widened in shock when she saw the draik, reconizing him. Her hands went into fists from anger.

Silver gave out a strangled, choking gasp, that caused the dragon to look up at the darkened balcony. He considered flying up to investigate, but the draik interrupted his thoughts.

“I have limited time, royal one. I must return before they suspect. They plan to free the slaves and lead them in revolt, forcing you and Vergard to recall the army marching on Qlaesti.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes, royal one.”

“What plans have they for me?” Pyrios smiled faintly.

“None, royal one, their leader… doesn’t believe in dragons.”

Jing felt more anger as she heard them. Damn it that idiot Veldahar! She couldn’t do anything but watch though. All the more reason they had to save those two quickly to warn everyone else.

Pyrios laughed, breathing hot putrid air on Keelin. “Things seem to be going perfectly then. I want you to keep close watch on the cleric and the kankiru. I will wait until I have both with me to take these three to my Queen…” He looked at the draik, “Make sure they are separated in the revolt tomorrow, so that I may pick them up with ease.”

Keelin closed her eyes, coughing when Pyrios breathed on her.

Jing went pale as she heard him. Bast and Iris… They had to be warned! Damn it! She wanted to go down there and beat that draik to a pulp right now so much! She was trembling a little, showing just how angery the rakune was.

The draik bowed, “I understand. And my reward?”

“Will be all you deserve. Now leave me.”

The draik cast the hood up over his head and withdrew. Pyros folded his wings and, curling his great body around, he lay staring into the darkness.

“Are you alright?” Grisfam asked Jing gently as they sat crouched by the balcony, afraid to move far. It was pitch dark, Grisfam having overturned a vase on the highly indignant puffball flame.

“No I’m not…” Jing muttered quietly “I have to go and warn Iris and Bast about that bastard… We can’t waste time.”

Keelin barely moved, looking up only a tiny bit when she saw Pyrios move.

Silver frowned, “But how? We don’t know where they are, and we could get caught!”

Jing wasn’t sure herself. “Could you two help the mitchi and draik? When that red leaves I could go down there with my magic and head out through the door that traitor went through… There must be a way to get to the others that way.”

Silver seemed dubious, “What if you’re caught??”

“What if we don’t find the others in time? Bast and Iris are in a lot of danger Silver.” Jing pointed out.

Silver sighed, “There has to be a way we can save those two and make sure the others are safe…” Grisfam smiled, “There is…”

Jing looked over at Grisfam, “How?”

“We’ll have to wait till that dragon falls asleep.” He nodded, settling back to wait.

Jing sighed, not liking that idea but she realized even her plan met some waiting. Sitting back her tail curled around her and she fidgeted nervously.