Honor is the highest code that separates Dragonlings from other creatures. We do not shy away from duty. We do not ignore the suffering of our people. We are honorable creatures.
This is Our Law.
~ From the Dragonling Grimoire

I glided over, landing between Dmitri and whoever he was currently attacking. A part of me worried it had been Senya or, stars forbid, Aleksandr again, but it was a dragonling I couldn't recognize. Her scent was familiar... but I couldn't place it.

"Dmitri." I hissed, turning to him. "What-"

"It's Mariya." Dmitri cut me off, his eyes watching her over my shoulder.

I tensed and turned my head to watch her, eyes narrowing on their own accord. Mariya glared right back as she found her paws, wings half-raised defensively. The silence grew between us and, though the market was still abuzz with sounds and life, it felt like I was alone with her and Dmitri.

I hadn't seen Mariya since before Kirill had murdered my children. Lord Edik had hidden her away from Dmitri and me before we departed and I hadn't returned since, nor did I ever want to. My heart began to beat harder as I remembered that this was the dragonling who had ordered the death of my children. She'd taken everything from me... and yet... my blood cooled as I stared down at her. She was... nothing. Nothing to me or my mates or the people I'd come to call my friends. I had picked up my life and moved on. Yes, the ache was still there, but it was like a scar that had healed over. I could feel the skin tug and pull, but it didn't bleed.

"Dmitri," I said again after a long moment. "It doesn't matter. She doesn't matter." Dmitri's face was full of surprise, but he straightened up wordlessly and nodded. I walked off, head high, and used my wing to draw Dmitri after me.

We walked in silence for a little while before Dmitri finally spoke. "Are you going to tell me why you're so calm?"

I took a deep breath. "No. I mean, I don't know. I'm just not... angry anymore."

"I see," Dmitri said, though his voice was quiet. "I'm... glad."

The silence continued as we made it back to the room. I shifted and blinked, allowing my eyes to adjust to the dusky lighting. The room was empty, the fire in the center slowly burning out, and I suddenly remembered why I had to come back in the first place. Cursing, I turned to Dmitri. "I need you to go find Alek and Senya... and probably Mako as well. And, well, Shurik."

Dmitri raised an eyebrow at me. "You do realize how big this place is, right? That's going to take-"

"Please, Dmitri." I took his hand to cut him off. "It's... really important." He stared down at me for a long moment before sighing and kissing the top of my head.

"I'll figure it out," Dmitri promised before walking out again.

I sighed and closed my eyes, rubbing my temples as everything Queen Galinda and King Andrei said came back to me. It sounded even more foolish now that I was alone. Me? As queen? It sounded incredibly stupid, even for me.

"Dammit." I kicked the iron brazier, only succeeding in hurting my toes. Cursing more, I limped over to the desk and sat down, pulling a scroll over to start writing a haphazard list of possible outcomes. Death? More than likely. Success? A slim chance. Even then, would I be happy as queen? I'd just be trading one set of chains for another.

But it'll be different. I decided, setting down the quill and staring at the drying ink. I'll be different. But could I?

You've really got to stop second-guessing your ideas. I scolded myself. Unable to stay seated any longer, I walked back over to the brazier and stared at the dying embers. They flickered pitifully until I added another log. Once the fuel was there, the embers caught and exploded into flames again.

I could be like that. I thought. No... I am like that. I'd come so far since leaving E'zastava - no, since leaving the Thundercrash colony altogether. I had learned and seen so much. How could I just go back to that?

The door slid open and Dmitri walked in, the others in tow. Mishal flew over, landing on my shoulder with a chirp.

"We're here," Senya announced, looking more than a little annoyed. "What do you need?"

"Queen Galinda and King Andrei want me to replace Queen Dominika." I blurted out. The room suddenly thickened with tension and I felt everyone's eyes on me.

After a long moment, Senya finally forced a laugh. "That's not funny, Anita."

"That's because it's not a joke," I said as I stood up. "It's the truth. I came to ask your collective opinion."

Two heartbeats of dead silence before everyone exploded into an argument.

"Absolutely not!" Dmitri said, taking my hand. "I thought you didn't want to go back at all! Why would you put yourself in this kind of danger?"

"But it might be the only way!" Mako argued back. "Anita is strong, right? And she's smart. Aren't you Ryns always complaining about her thinking too much?"

"Think too much and being a Lira are completely different things!" Senya shot back. "Is she trained in diplomacy? Does she know the responsibilities? Being a king or queen is a damned hard job!"

"You manage just fine, and you're not much older than she is," Shurik spoke up, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "What if-"

"We left the colony because it was dangerous for Anita there!" Dmitri said, his voice bordering on desperate. "Now you want to throw her back there, in the middle of a problem you two stirred up?"

Panic and annoyance quickly mounted in my chest as they continued to debate. Once they'd reached the point of shouting, I finally broke. "Enough!" I practically screamed to be heard over them. All four of the bickering fyns turned to me in surprise.

"Anita-" Dmitri began before I cut him off.

"No, stop. I've heard your opinions, but the final choice is still mine." I looked between them all, feeling even more confused than when I had started, then turned to Aleksandr. He had been silently watching the entire time, not interjecting or adding his opinion. I hoped he'd break the tie. "What should I do?"

Alek watched me with intent, knowing eyes. "Anita, I will follow you anywhere you wish to go. If you intend to stay here forever, I will. But you and I both know that this is something you want to do. Maybe you don't think so," he hurried before I could argue, "but deep down you know that this is what you want. Otherwise, you would have never even entertained the thought."

Silence drowned the room again after Alek's proclamation, the others glancing nervously between one another until Shurik finally spoke. "Anita, you're right. This is your choice, after all, so I think you need more time to think about it. Take a walk and come back to us."

I nodded slowly as Shurik spoke. "That... that makes sense. Thank you."

Dmitri looked at me with shock. "You're still considering it?"

"I-"

"It's not your choice, Dmitri." Alek interrupted. "Haven't you made enough decisions for her? Was she given a say in your plans when you came to Queen Dominika's city?" Dmitri stayed silent, glaring daggers.

I left torn between defending Dmitri and agreeing with Alek. It was for my sake that we left... right? Or was it Dmitri who wanted to leave?

"I'll be back," I said, pushing the thoughts away for now. "I- just don't kill each other while I'm gone." Leaving before they could stop me, I emerged into the crowded marketplace and felt utterly isolated. The bustling streets were full of dragonlings, yes, but they were strangers. The smiling face of a particular Mora flashed in my mind. What was his name...? I didn't think I had asked.

Mishal's bell-like chirp drew me back to the present. She gently drew her beak down my hair, as if trying to preen me, and made a sound I could only consider to be soothing. "Okay. I'm fine. I think. Why don't we go find that Mora?" She chittered back to me and I smiled wearily. "I'm talking to a bird. Lovely. Let's go."

Trying to retrace my steps, I weaved through the crowds. Several dragonlings stopped to gawk and a few nervously reached out to pet Mishal, but otherwise, I was left alone.

However, I found quickly that I was very lost. None of the stalls had artwork, just wares, and the crowds were suffocatingly thick. Eventually, though, I was able to extract myself from the bustling horde of dragonlings. The stream spat me out in a relatively secluded area of the cavern. Only a handful of vendors were around, and they mostly sold the more expensive commodities, like wine and jewelry.

Just as I was going to stop and ask someone for directions, the sound of shouting caught my attention. The voice sounded familiar. No way... Sure enough, as I rounded the corner, I caught sight of Mariya. She seemed to be harassing a very patient fyn that I deduced must have been an Umny. They were both in human form, but it looked like Mariya was close to attacking anyways.

Somewhat curious, I hid behind a vendor's cart and watched the two from around the corner. Umni were very exclusive dragonlings, usually keeping to themselves. Most fyns would only take another Umny as a mate, so they never were of great interest to me or Mako, and we never became friendly with any of them.

But, watching Mariya and this Umny now, I could only feel sympathy for him. She was yelling at him for not preparing her room in a timely manner, her anger probably spurred on by my earlier disregard for her.

"What kind of Umny couldn't even do this basic of a task?" Mariya demanded.

The Umny maintained his composure and replied with a calm voice. "My apologies, my lady. The Iciclecrash colony is filled to capacity and it's hard to secure a room. I apologize that I couldn't prepare your room properly."

"No excuses!" Mariya shouted, her face reddening. "Get it done or you won't have a job!" With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.

The Umny began picking up what looked like large satchels of supplies and I debated going out to help him. However, without even looking up, he suddenly spoke. "Why are you watching me?"

My heart skipped a beat and I waited, hoping that maybe someone else was there. But the Umny finally looked up, his green eyes meeting mine. "You. Anita Rhyan, if I'm not mistaken?"

I awkwardly stepped out from behind the cart, feeling like a chastised draggie. "I'm sorry, I don't think I know you."

"Ryns never pay attention to things like that." The Umny said. Before I had the chance to be offended, he handed me a bag. "Make yourself useful and help me. I have my work cut out for me."

The fyn said it with such quiet authority that I was already carrying two bags when I paused. "Hey, I never said I would help you."

"You're already doing it, so why stop?" The Umny replied with dry humor. "My name is Jacobi, by the way."

"Anita," I replied automatically. "... but you already knew that, didn't you?"

"I did," Jacobi confirmed as he led the way through the stalls with no hint of hesitation. "I helped your mother raise you before you went to Skhola. She was a good friend."

I paused in surprise, which earned an irritated look from Jacobi. "Keep moving. We don't have all day."

"Sorry." The words came from me without a second thought. Jacobi was such a commanding fyn that it was impossible for me to ignore his orders. Not even Dmitri could do that to me.

"You're just as clueless as the day you hatched." Jacobi continued. "But I see your mother in you."

"You... you do?"

Jacobi snorted and gave me a wry look. "Not always a good thing. She was just as temperamental and nearsighted as you. You don't look at the big picture very often, do you?"

I pressed my lips into a flat line as I thought about what Queen Galinda wanted me to do - wanted me to become. "More often than you think."

"I'm sure," Jacobi replied passively. "But- oh, here we are." He stopped in front of a doorway, placing his hand on the ice to make it slide open. Inside, the room was nearly identical to my own, with soft pelts lining the floor around an unlit fireplace.

"Mariya's not going to be happy with this," I commented, setting the bags Jacobi had given me on the ground. Mishal fluttered over to the brazier, her feathers catching the stacked wood on fire.

"She'll deal with it." Was Jacobi's reply as he set to unpacking. "Oh, the bird started the fire. Good. Grab those pelts and help me shake the dust off of them. No, not there. Shake them out here, where the floor is open."

As I began to work - again inexplicably unable to refuse his orders - Jacobi was talking about Mariya. "She's a spoiled brat, that's what she is. Never lifts a finger for herself. Poor Risa - you know her, right? The cook - she stays up all night trying to accommodate Mariya's needs and she usually just throws the food away anyways."

"Why don't you leave? There must be employment for Umni elsewhere, right?" I asked as I finished one of the pelts.

"As if." Jacobi snorted. "Umni take pride in our work. No one is too difficult for us... usually. But if we left, Lord Edik would blacklist us. No Lira across the entire colony would employ us, and, no offense, the Ryns, and Moras tend to pay terribly."

"No offense taken. We don't get paid well enough ourselves."

Jacobi made a dissatisfied grunt. "It used to be much easier. I was alive before Queen Dominika rose to power, quite the many sun cycles ago. Our king back then treated everyone as equal and kept his Court in line. His son was set to be his heir. Aye, that would have been perfect for us."

"What happened? To his son, I mean."

"No one can prove anything. But the Umni know everything. She sold him off to slavers from across the sea. Helped them acquire the proper magic to keep his drake form under control."

I paused. "That's... horrible."

Jacobi walked over to me, taking one side of the pelt I was working on and helping me finish it. "I know. Underhanded and very un-dragonling. But no one could prove anything and she faced no repercussions."

"She shouldn't be queen at all then." I murmured, eyeing Jacobi as he worked. He had strong, sturdy hands that wouldn't look out of place holding a sword, yet they were nimble and coordinated.

"Not at all." The Umny confirmed. "Someone should replace her."

For a couple of heartbeats, I debated asking Jacobi about his thoughts over Queen Galinda's plan but decided it would be foolish. I'd just met him.

As we worked, I couldn't help but ask Jacobi about Umni, since I'd never really had the opportunity to talk to one. He acted annoyed, but I could tell he was pleased and more than a little prideful telling me about how Umni were dedicated to their work, even more than Ryns.

The candlemarks melted away quickly and soon I realized I had been tricked into helping clean the entire room. "... how did you manage to rope me into this?"

Jacobi didn't bother to suppress his smile. "I don't know what you mean. You practically volunteered."

"I don't think I did," I grumbled. "And- oh, I forgot. I was supposed to go find that Mora with Mishal."

"The bird?"

"Phoenix." I corrected.

Jacobi grunted. "A bird is a bird. Pets always make extra messes."

"Not Mishal."

"I'm sure. Now, you said you were looking for a Mora?" Jacobi reached over to the desk and selected a piece of paper. "Here. A map. It's for Mariya, but I doubt she'd be running around by herself." He handed the map to me and started pushing me towards the door. "Now go before she comes back."

I found myself alone in the main chamber, clutching the map in my hand. After a moment the door opened again and Mishal landed on my shoulder with an annoyed squawk.

"Well," I said, running my hand over the map. "That was... something."

The map proved surprisingly accurate and soon I found myself in front of a myriad of artisan stalls. Without Eliza hounding me onwards, I could stop and peer at the different wares and creations. Paintings and sculptures were displayed prominently, details etched lovingly by the Moras that had created them. Vibrant silks and woven cloaks hung from several of the shops - from reds and yellows to purples and blues, it was absolutely stunning. I can't believe I'd missed them before.

Before I knew it, I saw the blond ringlets of the Mora. He was standing behind a large canvas, painting a stunning forest landscape. I watched as the trees and birds came to life under the fyn's careful brushstrokes - so detailed and lovely that I half expected the birds to start singing.

After a few silent minutes, the Mora stood back to inspect his work. "It's really good," I called out. Startled, the fyn whirled around, dropping his paintbrush in the process.

"W-who? Oh, it's- the phoenix!" The Mora's stumbling words were suddenly punctuated with a wide smile as his eyes fell on Mishal. As if sensing his admiration, Mishal fluttered over to his canvas and chirped, fanning her feathers out.

Immediately, the Mora was totally enraptured by Mishal. "Absolutely gorgeous! These colors... candy, lemon, sunburst. Oh, I have to paint you now." As if finally noticing me again, the fyn's cheeks reddened. "Ah! Right. I'm- my name is Ilya. Ilya Losev. It's nice to formally meet you."

"I'm Anita Rhyan." I gave Ilya a weak smile. "Do you mind if I sit? I've had a... weird day."

"Go ahead." Ilya motioned over to a wooden stool. "I like to stand when I paint anyways." He pulled some tubes of colored oil from under his stall and began mixing them. "You know, I know you don't know me," he began, "but you can talk to me about it."

"Honestly," I said as I took a seat, "I don't know if you'd believe me."

Ilya paused his mixing to give me a wry smile, his violet eyes catching the light from Mishal's feathers. "Try me."