The Last Dragon - Book 3 in the Misfits & Magic series

"This entrance to the dwarf kingdom was evidently important to the wizards Rose was working with," Tris said.

Eryll slammed the journal shut, eyes flashing angrily. "It's all nonsense. Reviving Llyr, finding dragons, entering the dwarf kingdom. All of it. Stupid wizards and their stupid ideas."

The temperature in the room dropped.

"You need to calm down," Tris said. "You're doing it again."

"Doing what, exactly?"

"Take a deep breath and think about why you're so angry." Tris's voice was calm and patient, like this was something he'd done hundreds of times.

"I—I just am." Eryll faltered, and her brows drew together in confusion. "Oh." She hid her face behind trembling hands and turned away from the others. The warmth of the room returned.

Nemo raised an eyebrow at Tris, but he shook his head, signaling that he'd explain later.

"What does any of this have to do with finding Rose?" Gabe wondered.

"I have a hunch we might find more clues if we look for this entrance to the dwarf kingdom," Tris said. "Maybe the wizards discovered something they shouldn't have, and Rose was just caught in the middle."

Nemo sighed. "It's the only lead we've got at this point." She pocketed the journal.

"I think we should get out of here before someone notices us," Tris said.

"Good idea," Gabe replied. "Let's go find Rose." It seemed as if the golem thought he'd turn the next corner and see her standing there.

*~*

It didn't take long to get out of the tower with no one the wiser. The rain had stopped, though the ground was still sticky with mud. Bluebell nickered at Tris as he approached, and he fed her a piece of carrot before he changed back into his armor and replaced his mask.

"If we're right, and this is a drawing of Mimir's Tower, then that's where we should go," Nemo said. "I'd like to stop for the night so we can dry our clothes by a fire, however."

The others agreed, so they found a clump of trees and set up camp. Tris built a large fire, and Gabe strung ropes from tree branches to use as clotheslines. Soon, everyone's wet clothes hung steaming around the fire.

Eryll muttered something about being tired and going to bed, then shifted to crow form and vanished into the branches above them.

Nemo used the firelight to study the journal again. Its strange writing and cryptic sketches fascinated her. Was it really possible the wizards had found a way into the ancient dwarf kingdom? She imagined facing a long-lost dragon in an underground tunnel and shuddered. Are dragons friendly, I wonder.

Tris glanced up into the treetops, then at Nemo. He cleared his throat. "I told you she was unstable."

"Yeah, what was all that about?" Gabe asked.

"She tried to explain it to me once," Tris said. "Dark magic messes with you, even after you've stopped using it. It causes mood swings, irrational anger, and insanity, and those things in turn stir up the dark magic."

"So she's aware of it, but it's still happening," Nemo said.

Tris scratched his chin under his mask. "Sometimes she's aware, sometimes she's not. It's actually gotten a lot better."

Gabe squinted into the flames. "Is she dangerous?"

"I've always been able to get her to calm down," Tris said.

"That's not what he asked," Nemo said. "I'm sorry, Tris. We all saw what happened at the castle. I think we need to know."

"Fine," Tris said. "No, I don't think she's dangerous. I think she's scared and hurting and confused. Look, you asked for our help. If you don't want it anymore..."

"We do," Gabe said. "We're your friends, Tris. We just wanna understand."

"I wish Rose was here. She could probably help Eryll," Nemo said. Oh, where are you, Rose? I hope you're all right. She wouldn't let herself think of the alternative. Instead, she focused on moving the clothes around so they'd dry evenly.

A chorus of frogs drowned out any background noise, and clouds blanketed the moon. The slow drip of moisture from the trees above had stopped. The day's tension drained from Nemo's body, and she saw Tris's eyelids drooping from across the fire. Even Gabe looked like he was nodding off.

"I'll keep watch," the banshee said. "Get some rest, you two."

*~*

The fastest path to Mimir's Tower cut through a stretch of the Arddun Forest. Although Nemo and Tris pored over their map, there was no sign of any road through that area. A silvery line that hinted at a stream disappeared under the trees.

Tris tapped the map's surface. "That stream could work. It would be a guide to keep us on the right path, anyway."

"I thought the forest didn't like outsiders venturing off the marked roads," Nemo said. "This doesn't sound safe."

"It will take an extra couple of days for us to reach the marked road," Tris said. "If we're cautious and respectful, it should be safe."

Gabe nodded vigorously. "We're in a hurry, Nemo."

Nemo glanced at Eryll, hoping the little mage would be a voice of reason and take her side. No such luck. Eryll had her back to the group. She hadn't so much as spoken since the night before.

"The forest is unforgiving of those who break its rules," Nemo said. "We've all heard the stories of vanished travelers and huntsmen."

"The longer it takes us to reach Rose, the more danger she's in," Tris argued. "And the longer Eryll and I are on the main roads where people can spot us, the more danger we'll be caught."

"We're no good to Rose if the forest eats us," Nemo said.

"We're no good to Rose if you can't stop arguing," Gabe said, pounding his fist for emphasis. "We're going through the woods. I mean...please, let's go through the woods?"

There was a stunned silence.

Nemo groaned inwardly. Something kept telling her it wasn't safe, but Tris made a good point and Gabe seemed to have strong feelings about it. "All right, we'll go through the forest."

It was a half day's walk through open land to the border of the Arddun Forest. The air smelled clean, and the myriad wild plants were bursting into bloom after the previous day's rain. Birds, hidden in the low grasses and brush, scattered as the travelers passed by. The thorns of wild roses and blackberry brambles tugged at their clothing as if tempting them to stay and enjoy the beautiful day.

Warm sunlight dried the last mud puddles. Eryll, apparently deep in thought, neglected to put her hood up until her nose, cheeks, and ear-tips had already turned a bright, painful pink from sunburn. By midday, the sun was hot. The tree shade ahead looked tempting and friendly, and the travelers were grateful when they located the stream and followed it into the Arddun Forest.