We made the first leg of the journey to phoenix territory by car. It just didn't make sense to tire ourselves out physically before we had to. Yes it would take more time to drive there, but we would be rested when we arrived which was ultimately more important than the extra time spent. So we were basically in one large caravan driving across the desert.

We left early, each Dragon Lord ensuring their people were ready to leave on schedule. We stopped briefly in the afternoon, but our first real stop was for dinner. We set up camp with a full perimeter and guards flying above us as well to make sure we weren't attacked while we were distracted. With many of the Dragon Lords in this caravan, it would really throw everything into chaos if we were attacked. So we treated security with care, Ashur coordinating with the various skeins to ensure we were efficient with our people.

For the first time, we sat down with the other Dragon Lords without a clear agenda to get through. The conversation wasn't focused on what we were going to do. We had hashed everything out in minute detail already, so nobody wanted to talk about that or dwell on it. Instead, we spoke about other things to take our minds off what was coming.

"Everyone knew Cinira was destined to be the Dragon Lord of her territory," Tanar said, looking at her. "When she took the position, it was a surprise to exactly nobody."

Cinira smiled, shaking her head. "I remember it quite differently," she said wryly, leaning back in her chair. "As I remember it, everyone was always telling me that Dragon Lords don't wear dresses. That I needed to look at how they presented themselves so I would know how to behave like I should." She smiled faintly. "So, of course, I had to wear only dresses from that point on."

Everyone laughed, taking in the black tunic dress she was currently wearing. Just that short story definitely gave me some insight into her. The dress was almost a symbol of defiance, a “screw you” to everyone who thought that she couldn't make it. I could appreciate that and her dresses a lot more now.

Tanar simply smiled at her response, giving her a warm look. "Only fools would comment upon your dress and ignore the woman underneath," he murmured.

Cinira met his gaze for a long moment, the connection between them real and clear as day to anyone watching. She ended up looking away first, clearing her throat lightly as she smoothed her hands down her dress.

Hmm. Maybe there had been something there. Or there was potentially something there now. Something to keep in mind. Someone else picked up the conversation and moved it into different territory when it was clear neither Cinira nor Tanar were going to pick it up again.

We moved from talk of old styles of clothing, to the newest cars, to the cutting-edge technology used for security outside of the city domes.

As everyone spoke, I got to know them a little better. Bruno ended up being a classically trained pianist, and had a keyboard he brought out to play in the background while everyone ate and talked to each other. Priyanka was actually an engineer by trade. Victor was a dog lover, bringing along two dogs on this journey. I'd given them a dubious look but he'd simply shaken his head.

"Lucy and Ethel are vicious in a fight," he explained. "They're trained to go after archers." He patted one large, shaggy head. "Best backup I could have."

I looked down at the large dogs, their red-brown fur shining sleekly as they lay sedately at their master's feet. Even in their laziness I could make out the muscle in their heavy forms. Yup, I wouldn't want them coming after me.

But the biggest surprise wasn't from the conversation that night. The biggest surprise to me was the fact that someone I'd never expected to see was there as well. We'd gotten a message out of the blue from Heavener, saying that he wanted to join us on our journey, that he'd seen what Emberich was doing and couldn't stand back anymore. It had been a surprise to say the least. One that had had all of us scratching our heads. The change of heart made sense logically, but Heavener had been so vehement about his opinion, it still felt jarring to see him sitting here with the other Dragon Lords.

I smiled at him as I moved to get more food, but he just stared back at me with an unreadable look. Okay then. We were not friends. But I was okay with that so long as he threw his support in with us, bringing more numbers with him. Sometimes a common enemy was enough.

The social aspect of the camp broke up pretty quickly, everyone needing to get their rest. We were going to get up at the crack of dawn the next morning and continue on the journey. I walked back and got into our car with Ashur, the back opening up into a nice bed. It was surprisingly comfortable, though I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised considering how expensive these cars ran.

"It seemed like you were all getting along pretty well," I ventured as we lay there together.

Ashur nodded, tightening his arms around me. "Maybe forcing all of us to spend some time together like this might lead to something more cohesive in the future. Maybe a way forward where we could be more cooperative than we are now," he said thoughtfully.

I agreed. That sounded like a good way to move on from this. A way for something good to come out of this mess. Dragon leadership definitely needed some revamping. Emberich was a terrible king for the phoenixes and I didn't believe in a monarchy or dictatorship of any kind. But there was no denying that he did unite the phoenixes so they could work together when they needed to. The very separateness of the dragon skeins did inherently weaken them when there was a larger threat, even as it made for better representation for the people in each skein. But I didn't dwell on that too long, tired from the long day. We fell asleep to the silence around us, everyone bedding down for the night.

When I woke up again, it took me a moment to get my bearings. When I did, I realized I'd woken because nature was calling. I really didn't want to get up, but there really wasn't an alternative. So I slid out of bed, careful not to wake Ashur. Getting out of the car, I used the flashlight on my watch to light my way over to the designated latrine area. No matter how much money you had, some things just always were what they were. I took care of business quickly and then headed back towards the car, already half-asleep again.

"Mia."

I frowned, turning towards the call of my name. Who was awake right now? It was someone in the shadows of one of the larger vehicles.

I took a step forward towards whoever it was, bringing my light up to get a better look, but my hand was knocked away as something hit me hard and fast on the side of the head, knocking me literally silly. I stumbled, feeling reality blur at the edges as my ears rang.

What?

I felt myself being roughly thrown over a large shoulder.

"Come on you troublesome bitch," Heavener muttered as he walked away with me. "Let's get you over to the Phoenix King and end this bullshit. I refuse to go to war because a mutt like you has daddy issues."

I wanted to fight. Wanted to curse him out.

But the blur spread to the rest of my vision.

And then I saw only the dark.