Valda blinked and shielded her eyes with her hand. As her eyes adjusted, she could make out an enormous shadow stretched out high above her. It took a few seconds for her brain to catch up with what she was seeing.

Thick branches reached out and bright purple leaves provided her with just enough shade. As the wind rustled through the leaves, the shadows danced in front of her.

The Peepul tree radiated light, almost as if it was pushing the clouds back, forcing them to go around. Instinctively, Valda knew it would always protect the dragons from storms.

Sitting up, she felt a small body pressed against her side, lending her his heat. Pandath was curled up in a ball, his head tucked under his wing like a bird. Not being able to resist, Valda ran her fingers over his ridged back. There were only slight bumps where his spikes would grow, but she was pleased to see his injuries had stayed away. Whatever she'd done to heal him seemed to still be working.

Her hands paused as he raised his head and yawned, showing off his tiny needle pointed teeth.

"Valda? You're awake." He shook himself off, stretching out his back legs. His big eyes looked at her in excitement. "Come on. Let's get some food." With a large jump, he flew into the air, flapping his wings to keep him airborne. He took off before Valda could voice her agreement.

She scrambled to catch up to him, thankful he hadn't gone too far.

Her friends, along with Nandarin and Fydat, and a few other dragons, were gathered around a small fire. A medium-sized bird was roasting on a stick, and Mauve was using her magic to rotate it.

As she got closer, all conversation died, as they turned to look at her. Pandath, oblivious to the sudden quiet, flew to his mother and began rummaging around in the pile of fruit obviously meant for him.

All the eyes looking at her, made Valda feel self-conscious. Some looks were speculating, others awed, and a few even looked fearful. She felt like she'd grown as large as a giant, and wanted nothing more than to shrink back to normal size.

The looks on her friends' faces were even harder to read. She only hoped they weren't as frightened of her power as she was.

Though her body was the same as it always was, the power she'd felt was still there, waiting for her. Something had awoken in her, and it seemed reluctant to go back to its slumber.

Still, she felt as though she had control. It didn't feel as though it would burst out her at any point. It was almost as if it was waiting for some signal from her. The only trouble was, Valda didn't know what signal it was waiting for.

The grass was cool and soft as she lowered herself to the floor. She splayed her hands through the stems, enjoying the feel between her fingers. As if enjoying her touch, the grass brushed against her hand, almost like it was trying to comfort her, to tell her everything was going to be okay.

"How are you feeling?" Mauve was the first to break the silence, her face becoming concerned as she looked over Valda, checking for any signs of distress.

Valda thought over how she felt. "Different, I guess. But in a good way." She was quick to add.

Mauve nodded in understanding. She was the only other one of the four who had a similar grasp of magic and knew how it could change a person. It was impossible for that power not to.

"How long have you known you were a Healer?" Carrick's voice wasn't friendly, and the accusation in his tone made Valda flinch away from him.

Mauve sent him a disapproving look but kept her mouth shut, knowing her brother needed to get the question off his chest. Now that he'd been wrong, he'd be insufferable to live with for the next few days.

Valda shook her head, holding up her hands. "I had no idea, not until I saw Pandath. I promise Car. Please believe me," she begged, tears springing to her eyes when he only clenched his jaw in anger.

"I don't know what to believe anymore," he spat out before getting to his feet and stalking away.

Valda went to go after him, but Mauve shook her head. "Leave him be, Val. He's not angry at you, not really. You being a Healer just brings up bad memories for him."

She stared after her brother, sadly. Their mother's loss weighed heavily on him, and nothing she did seemed to ease that pain for him.

"Your friend is correct. A Healer doesn't know their power until their help is requested by one who deserves it." Nandarin looked over at his cub, pride radiating from him at the knowledge Pandath was that very one.

"I've never heard of that." Tevin looked at Mauve but she shook her head. She hadn't either.

Nandarin lifted his head and stared at the light sneaking through the leaves of the Peepul tree, a faraway look in his eyes. "The first of my kind, Rendu, was a great Healer, but he only discovered his power when his tribe was in danger. Adiocion granted him the power to save them."

"A dragon Healer?" Mauve murmured, shocked. In the stories her mother told her, she'd always assumed the Healers were Fae.

Fydat huffed out steam, irritated with Fae arrogance. "Surely, you did not believe that Healers belong to just one race. They were a combination of powerful beings, their individual power only surpassed when they joined forces."

"Then there must be more. I can't be the only one." The idea that there were others out there burned brightly in Valda's mind. Others who might help her understand her new powers. Maybe they would even help her and the other rebels defeat Lorcan.

"It is possible there are others," mused Nandrin. "But you may also be the first."

The little spark of hope inside Valda fizzled out. Of course, if there were others, the people of Adiocion would already know about them.

"So if Valda is the first, then other Healers are yet to be chosen," Tevin reasoned, making Valda and Mauve look at each other in surprise. "Why do you think they are coming back now after so long?" He addressed Nandrin directly with none of the fear he'd felt from the day before.

The dragons looked between each other, Pandath was bouncing on flowers, completely ignoring everyone. "Perhaps Adiocion senses a threat and is gathering its greatest forces."

"That would make sense. Lorcan's forces are the biggest threat Adiocion has faced in centuries."

Whilst Tevin and Mauve looked convinced, Valda thought the dragons were less so. Though it was difficult to tell what a dragon was thinking until it projected its thoughts directly into your head. Still, Valda was sure they were reserving their judgement. The thought only made her feel worse.

In the following silence, Mauve sliced up the cooked bird and handed a portion to Valda and Tevin. She placed Carrick's portion on the spot where he'd sat, knowing he'd eventually come back.

Valda picked the meat apart with her nails, being careful not to burn her fingers. She ate a few pieces but couldn't really enjoy the meal. Carrick's behaviour and what the dragons had said were keeping her mind too occupied to think about the taste.

Pandath came over to investigate her tin, resting his forelegs on Valda's thigh to peer in at the meat. Not thinking about it, Valda picked up a piece and held it up to him, allowing him to sniff at it and taste it.

"Pandath." His father scolded him. "Valda will need her strength back after everything she's done for us."

Pandath instantly looked sorry, making Valda smile. She ran her hand down his back and flicked at his ear tuft. "It's okay, Nandrin. Losing a small piece won't hurt anyone."

She placed her tin on the floor beside her, whilst Pandath tucked himself into her side and spread his wing over her lap. Valda continued to pet him with one hand and eat with her other. She was happy with the distraction. Anything to take her mind off her troubling thoughts.

"You will need to leave for the rebel base today. You have already delayed your journey to help us and can't waste anymore time." The tone of Nandrin's voice meant no one argued with him.

"Do you know what is happening in Lania?" Mauve urged, but the black dragon shook his head, crushing her hopes.

"My eyes do not extend that far. I can only sense Lorcan's forces growing stronger. Myself and my tribe will give you a ride. Time is of the essence children of the Fae."

Valda looked at the other two, fear clouding all of their faces at the thought of Lorcan's army. The food in her stomach felt like it had turned to lead, and Mauve and Tevin looked equally terrified.

"I guess, I had better take this to Carrick and make sure he knows." Mauve took the tin of food and went to find her brother.

Despite the sun shining above her, Valda felt cold. She wasn't ready for this. How she wished her Dad was there to make her feel stronger. He always knew what to say to her. He was the strong one, not her.

A white hand covered her black one, and she looked up to see Tevin sitting next to her. She'd been so focused on panicking that she hadn't even heard him approach.

"We can do this, Valda. I know it. Whatever happens, we're with you." There was no doubt in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Valda focused on Tevin's strength. He was right. With her friends next to her, she could do this. They could do this.