I pushed open the doors of the town hall. Opening the door, the heat of the night washed over me. I let out a sigh. Turning to leave, a weight lifted from my back. Though Cynfe’s invective still burned on my fangs, the anxieties of dealing with politics and agendas sat behind me. For now.


    inappropriate, back in the sky. I tossed my head, clearing it.


    empty.”


    wrong.


    seared, a mark of exile into my scales, so deep that no amount of molting would heal it. It still hurt, but it faded and I could bear the pain. If I pressed, I could feel the welts spelling matua???—??meaning grounded in K??rmkieli. My branded forehead ensured I could never be admitted into any skycity.


    I’m fine, stone frills. My wings will heal.” She paused. “You were hurt too.”


    died. And while it was not the Berwem, Hinte said the cliffs would not be more forgiving, that they were just another set of dangers.


    exciting, a break from the endless grind of my daily life. Down on the surface, without my brother Ashaine, there was no one to break me out of my routine. I met Hinte’s gaze. Maybe I needed this, someone to make my life interesting.


    friend? I squeaked. A small, warm wave of heat rushed over my body. Despite the looming horror of war that I might have the blame for, I had my own victory to celebrate. After everything that had happened in the Berwem, me and Hinte had become friends! At long last.


    walk all the way back. I clenched my claws. I twitched my frills, but I could still hear Hinte’s shouts and screams. Those brutish apes had threatened, injured my friend. I growled in the lonely night, startling someone in the shadows that I had not seen. Cringing, I walked on with my head lowered.


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