Chapter 45

"We need to attack!" shouted Maristus. "Our prince has abandoned us in our greatest hour of need. We are dying every day, and the humans will never stop!"

The water was agitated, as myr-wyms and myrmen swished their tails in agreement. Another war council had been called, since Rory had been missing for days. Orange and purple hair floated in the water, and scales glinted in the soft moonlight.

"Rory did not abandon us," said Keltrain. "He's helping us."

"Then where is he?" demanded Maristus. "Surely the prince would tell us if he were leaving."

Keltrain stayed silent; he had sworn to Rory that he would not tell the others his secret. Turning into a human signified the deepest kind of betrayal; most would not understand his reasons for doing so.

"I thought so," said Maristus. "Now we must attack. Curse the one who said to wait until the turn of the moon. We must act now."

The others shouted their approval. Keltrain's heart hammered in his chest.