They in turn told her about the militia, the slaves, and the battle of the Artisans’ District.

“Varia brought word of your plan just after dawn,” Sir Hugh said. “We attacked the mercenaries north of the palace. They came in hordes to drive us off, but there were no Brutes. They did not help at all.”

Varia hooted a note of amusement. “They were too busy ransacking the palace while the mercenaries were drawn off. I saw them.”

“Did they take the eggs?” asked Linsha.

“I don’t know. They had many chests and crates. The eggs could have been packed in there. But why would Brutes want dragon eggs? What are they going to do with them?”

What indeed, Linsha wondered. In her mind’s eye, she saw again the masked general and the dark figure in the storm. Were they the same man? Who was his informant who knew so much about her? Why had the general told her so much when he held her prisoner? “We, however, have other plans,” he had said. Did those plans include using someone else to kill the blue dragon so the Brutes could have complete control of the city and the treasure without the interference of such a vicious, unpredictable partner as Thunder? Exactly who manipulated whom into attacking Iyesta’s realm? Linsha stroked the cat on her lap and shook her head. She and Crucible and the militia may have won their battle this day, but she could see it would be a long time before they won the war.

It occurred to her, rather belatedly, that she should have destroyed the Abyssal Lance while she was in the chamber. Well, it was too late now. They would have to send someone in there to get it. Maybe the carrion beetles would eat it.

“What about the slaves?” she asked Leonidas. “How did you get free?”

The centaur slowed to avoid a thick patch of sage then sped up again to a canter. The wind had dried the moisture in his eyes and the companionship of the woman on his back gave him the strength to smile. “Those knives you gave us came in useful. We fought our way out, and most of the others are on their way back to the Wadi with the militia. When the mercenaries withdrew, Varia found us, and we came to find you.”

“What happened to Phoulos?”

“Took a spear in the neck while we were fighting the guards,” Leonidas said simply.

Linsha lapsed into silence. She didn’t have the strength for more words. Her companions fell into their own thoughts, and the small company rode quietly ahead of the storm to the Scorpion Wadi.

Once in the safety of the canyon, they passed the pickets and the guards and came to the cave where people came streaming out to meet them.

Linsha looked for the faces of Falaius and General Dockett, of Lanther and Mariana, and when she found them she raised her fist in victory and thanks.

“Iyesta is avenged!” she cried. “Thunder is dead.”

The cheering rose up through the canyon and vied with the voice of the storm. For that night, at least, the survivors of the Missing City were able to celebrate.