Page 205 of Phoenix's Fire

"So learn English?" someone asked.

"Sure won't hurt," Drozel told him. "We have two women now who've come from down there." He flicked his tail up, then pointed to the bandage. "They can heal. They want to help. Ayla has done more for our fight against the Moles than any of us ever could, and if we can get into their compound, there will be a lot more refugees who will need help and not know our language."

"Also!" I gasped, realizing something. "I'm trying to get the names of all tailless women who vanished in the Mole attacks. As far back as any of you know. An aunt, sister, grandmother, or anything. If you have a name, please let me know?"

"Why?" Drozel asked.

"What are you doing?" Zasen wanted to know.

I grimaced and looked down, realizing I'd only told Kanik about this. "Well, we know my mother was Tiesha, the Serpent, and she had family here. Tobias's mother was Jerlis's sister. My friend Callah's mother was also in quarantine, which makes me think she was a Dragon too. There are a lot of women in quarantine. Sadly, few live past their early thirties, but I'm sure there are still some locked away.If we can get their names, then maybe we can find the children who are now a part of the community down there."

"Shit," someone said. "How many?"

I could only shake my head. "I don't know. That's what I'm trying to figure out."

"Okay!" Drozel said. "So write your names down and pass them to Ayla before you leave today. If you come up with more, bring those next time. Most of you already have an assignment. For those who don't, make a group over there." And Drozel pointed at the side. "Let's make sure we're ready for this, people!"

But Zasen squeezed my shoulder gently. "I want you to work with Kanik today."

"Okay?" I asked.

"Hand-to-hand," he clarified. "You need to know how to kill a man if he gets close. When you're ready, I'll make Drozel grapple with you since he's currently handicapped."

"It's not that bad anymore," Drozel told him. "I'll be fine by the next battle."

"Mhm," Zasen teased. "And did Omden have to hold your hand to get you here?"

"No, I can walk," Drozel promised. "Not run, but I'm okay with walking." He grinned at me. "And your friend wrapped my tail for me. She's nice."

"She's scared," I reminded him, "and you're big."

"Don't worry, she's been spending a lot of time with Lessa," he assured me. "If there's anyone who can give her a little confidence, I'm sure Lessa can." Then he made a face. "And she might have a crush on the little sparrow."

"Who?" I asked.

"Lessa."

So I followed up with, "And the sparrow?"

"Meri," he clarified. "She reminds me of those little sparrows that flit everywhere, always ready to rush off if something comes at them."

"Because the world is scary up here," I said. "We were told to expect one thing, and then got this, and we know something is wrong, but it takes a bit to sort it all out."

"I know," he promised. "I also know you killed men without flinching, Ayla. There are two reasons someone can kill that easily: they're insane, or they need revenge. I have a feeling you two aren't crazy."

"It's a lot of revenge," I told him. "And I'll make sure Kanik gets me ready for more."

"Burn them down, Phoenix," Zasen said. "Oh, and if you cheat and use Holly?" He grinned. "All's fair in war, after all."

"I'll remember that," I said. "Holly, heel!"

And I headed to make sure I was just as tough as my dog, because if anyone tried to hurt her out there, I would definitely make them pay. She might be my protection, but I would do everything in my power to protect her too.

Sixty-Four

Rymar

Ayla was getting herself involved in something. While I'd been off on my date, she and Saveah had spent hours at the library, going through the historical records of Mole attacks in Lorsa. Someone there had noticed - and I was pretty sure they'd complained. The next day, Drozel had stopped in to let Jerlis know she was working on something. That had been enough for the mayor to tell me he wanted a meeting with her and her sister.