Mallow led her friends back to her mound. It took a little bit longer since they had to go around the scavenger den, but it seemed to be strangely peaceful for a constantly-used battleground.
As she passed MudWings closer to the heart of the Mud Kingdom, they either looked away or growled. She noticed her two aunts and uncle practicing fighting, the only person who died from their troop her mother. It was strange; Mallow sometimes wished that her mother was still alive, the same with her father, although neither of them cared for them like they could've. She brushed the thoughts away as they got closer to her mound, though.
She hesitated walking into it immediately, knowing it wasn't uncommon for Vervain to decide he wanted to pick a fight. She normally somehow snuck away.
Mallow shook her head, and after she knew it was clear she sat down inside her mound. Jackal and Caldera sat on either side of her.
"What are we going to do about Spectrum?" Jackal asked after a short while of silence. "We can't just stand by and not do anything. And I'm pretty sure no one here can actually fight."
"Just because I haven't fought a dragon in a while doesn't mean that I can't fight." Mallow retorted.
"Catching game doesn't count." Jackal replied. "I know for a fact that for years you haven't actually fought anyone. Whether that is out of your own ability or someone else's pity isn't the problem." He turned to look at Caldera. "And I'm pretty sure you haven't even fought anyone in your life. No offense."
"Why would I take offense to that?" Caldera asked. "I grew up watching dragons die. I didn't get much practice to do the same, nor did I want to."
"But we can't just talk to her." Mallow pointed out. "I tried, but she didn't listen. And there's no way we can use magic against her, either. Unless we hire an assassin, which ain't no one got the money for, it doesn't seem like we can get rid of her."
"So this is it?" Caldera said. "We can't get any farther? Pyrrhia's going to be doomed?"
"It can't be." Jackal replied. "If we go back to my house, maybe my parents can convince Thorn to send some Outclaws to fight her. Or maybe we can try something else…I don't know. But we can't give up. We can think of something. I overheard my parents talking about the best way to take down an enemy one night—I couldn't sleep that night, so I was going to practice spells and stuff. They said that the best way is to spend time with them, get to know them, then use what you learned against them. It was a dangerous strategy; most dragons know when they're being spied on or tricked. But luckily for us, we have that advantage."
"Spoken like a true war general." Mallow said. She patted him on the head.
"Thanks." Jackal murmured back.
"In that case, then what do we know about Spectrum?" Caldera asked. "Let's see… She was born sometime soon after the Scorching, she had a sister, said sister made a promise. What else?"
"She's an animus, seer, and mind reader." Mallow added. "And if I had to guess, she's also pretty strong."
"That's already enough to form a plan." Jackal said. "But to make sure it works…we might have to ask my parents. They—my mother, at least—have experience. And although I'd like to avoid them at all costs for their safety and my sanity, it's the best I've got."
"Sounds good enough for me," Caldera said.
Mallow nodded in agreement. "When would you like to leave?" She asked.
"Maybe closer to night." Jackal suggested. Mallow nodded again. With any luck, this'll be over in the next week.