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“Will your children go back straight away or stay for the first part of the meeting?” Idaturan asked. “We’ve barely met and I would like some chance to get to know my potential allies.”

“It’s up to them,” Matthias said. “But I think they can afford to stay for a little while if they want.”

Lydia looked at her siblings and Kyle, who all nodded. “Okay, we’ll stay a for a bit.”

“I’ll take Kari to bed and be right back,” Lyrrekka said as she led Karilya back towards the portal. Just don’t forget what we told you, she added mentally. Indaturan will charm the socks off you but he’s capable of horrifying things as well if it serves his purpose.

We’ll remember, Matt said. We’ll have to make sure it doesn’t.

“So,” Indaturan said. “While we wait for Lyrrekka-ida to return, why don’t you tell me about the situation your children will be dealing with tomorrow.”

“Hmm…” Matthias eyed him thoughtfully, obviously trying to decide whether to trust the dragon. Indaturan obviously noticed but seemed amused rather than offended.

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, of course,” he said. “But if you really don’t want me to know you’d be advised not to tell my alran either.”

Matthias chuckled and shook his head. “That’s true, I suppose. And I don’t think there’s any harm in telling you anyway. Do you want to tell him, Lyd? Since you actually saw it?”

Lydia nodded and began to describe the vision and the trouble they’d had clarifying it. When she described the vial that the Kithreian had thrown at the girl both Ystelyan and Indaturan gave sharp gasps.

“You know what it is?” she asked.

The two dragons exchanged a glance before Ystelyan answered. “Possibly, but it’s supposed to have been destroyed. Did it look like this?” An image of the vial dropped into their heads.

“Yes, that’s it,” Lydia said.

“It’s another of Likadrian’s experiments,” Indaturan said. “Though this one mostly worked. Keylaria took it from him when she ejected him from her court after she realised how dangerous he was. I guess you’d call it a power enhancer. It’s usually reasonably safe if somewhat addictive, but not when used on someone in the state you described.”

“You say it was destroyed?” Matthias asked.

“Supposedly all his experiments that could be destroyed were and the rest were locked away.” He narrowed his eyes. “Xantaria kept some of them?”

“She must have,” Ystelyan said. “And the stories I heard suggest he made some terrible things. We need to figure out what else she has.”

“Mostly unintentionally, but yes he did.” Indaturan gave a sigh. “It’s such a pity. He could have changed the world for the better but he got caught up in his own obsession.” He looked over at Sonia. “I hope your sister can heal him.”

“If anyone can, it’s Sal,” she said.

“Good.” He looked up as Lyrrekka returned. “Ah, good. Now we can get started.”

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