The next morning was awkward. I woke up to the faint sunlight, since the eternal night was coming the sunlight was a little less then usual. Everyone was scattered around the tower, but not in the usual way. Dragons seemed to be in a hurry for something, but I wasn't sure what.

I was walking with Solice through the tower. We didn't talk when we walked. We just sort of got caught up in our own worlds. Her's about her mate, whom I still hadn't seen in a vision, and mine about…well…everything.

We were gliding over the grounds when Naela flew swiftly by us in a hurry.

"What the heck is with everyone today?" I asked mostly myself.

Solice opened her eyes and stared at the ground.

"You are the…mind reader….figure it out…"

I was a little annoyed by her slight attitude, but she was right. I singled in on Terron, who happened to be below me and heard his thoughts.

"This is ridiculous. Of all the times to leave to search for her, why now? We are invading the mountain in a matter of days. What makes her think I could lead? Well, wherever she is, I hope she finds her…I would hate for her to risk her safety if her daughter was really dead. Now, we need help. Ravana could be helpful, if we knew where she was, maybe Glacia could put her abilities to better use and help us out here….maybe she can make sure Layla isn't going to be killed by that smug bastard, Iron….."

I gasped a little and flew down, with Solice at my side.

"What do you mean Iron? Did he go with her? Was it something I said last night?" I asked every question I could think of.

"I thought you might have been prying at my mind," he said, "You are aware that eventually dragons can tell when they are being probed?"

"Uh, no, but that's not what I care about right now. What about Layla?"

"That needn't be your concern," he said, "But since you already know some of it….She left early this morning out of the blue. She took Iron with her and said something about finding her daughter."

I instantly felt my gut fall. "It was because of what I said last night," I muttered, "But it couldn't have bothered her that much!"

"Little dragoness," he said looking sternly into my eyes, "Her daughter is the most precious gift she had gotten out of our childhood. Sending her away hurt Layla in ways you can only imagine at this point. When you brought up the parenting subject last night, it reopened fresh wounds, and now she wants to find her."

"I didn't mean it like that. And doesn't she know there isn't time to just leave!" I almost yelled.

"Yes, but she values her loved ones more then her priorities," he said, "She will be back before the fight. I have faith in that, but if she isn't, I will find someone to take charge and lead."

"Why wouldn't you?" I asked.

"I am not a leader, I am a protector. I need to find someone who can lead us to battle. Now if you will excuse me, I have matters to attend to."

He dove to the ground, where all the leaders had gathered, probably to talk about what to do without the main leader.

I sank back to the roof of the tower, completely disappointed with myself for making Layla have to leave. I had forgotten Solice was by my side. She landed without a thud and sat next to me.

"You know….you made a mistake…..but don't wear yourself out…..on it….."

"I shouldn't," I said, "But you didn't see her face last night."

"I didn't have to….I saw it when she left….."

"You saw her leave?"

"Yes….she left as soon as you came up…….and Iron followed….Terron didn't want you to…..jump to conclusions…."

"But where would she go with Iron?"

"Puzzles, puzzles," she spoke softly to herself, "Mysteries of life…..tell us oh wind of might….where our leader is tonight…"

I just stared at her. Maybe she had been in the air to long and had oxygen disorders. I felt the wind blow sharply from right in front of me. The air bite at my face. Solice seemed comfortable letting the cold wind hit her, and sat with her eyes closed. After the wind stopped, Solice looked at me.

"I found something odd…."she said, "Layla….she is in the north….near the area you were born…..she is with that steel dragon…..and there seems to be a darker presence…it smells like you..."

"How do you know where I was born?" I asked her, a little distracted.

"I can smell it in the wind…"she said, "You smell….like your birth home…..your caretaker……your friends…..this tower…..the cave you were before….and many more.."

"Wow, but wait," I said, getting back to reality, "Why would Layla be back there, and talking to…Ravana…"

"Strange," muttered Solice "Does Ravana….know that steel dragon…?"

"Not that I know of," I said.

My curiosity got the better of me and I probed into Iron's past again. Instead of the metal buildings I saw the first time, I saw a mess of sand for miles. Steel dragons were covering the sky, lead by none other then Ravana.

"Keep up you fools!" her voice rasped. It was much harsher then I had ever heard her speak

The dragons kept speed with her, which was hard since she was going as fast as she could. The only steel dragon that was catching up to her was Iron.

"You are a fast one, aren't you?" she snickered as Iron got closer.

"Indeed, ma'am," he said briefly.

"I assume you wouldn't be up here unless you had something to say," she said out of the blue, "So what do you want?"

Iron looked at her puzzled for a moment, but quickly recovered.

"I just noticed…the way your eyes are. They are dull."

Ravana hissed at him and bared her fangs.

"Not like that, miss, I mean you just don't seem interested in this anymore."

Ravana closed her fangs and looked at him. Something he said hit a nerve.

"You seemed too happy before, but now, you are lifeless, like something is missing, or you can't have and it is on your mind."

"You're a smart one, but honestly…" she said getting right next to him, "I am missing something. I found someone who, well, captured me in a way I never have been."

"Do you mean in my clan?"

"No, in the battle. The red dragon…"

"You fell for the enemy?"

"Yes," she hissed, "And I trust you will not tell anyone."

"Of course not," he said with promise, "But I must ask, if you aren't happy here, why don't you go?"

"Because I can't just leave," she muttered, "He'll kill me."

"What if I help you leave?" he said, "At the next battle, fall over into a fake coma. They are nice on the other side and won't just let you stay. Once you are there, find the red dragon and see if he shares your feelings. If he does, stay there, if he doesn't, leave for good."

Ravana looked over at him, with her eyes wide.

"You would do that?" she asked, "What's in it for you?"

"Absolutely nothing," he said, "I just want you to be happy, because you do have a choice to leave."

"That's wrong," Ravana chuckled, "But I appreciate the offer."

"I think you should keep it in your mind, and if you ever want to leave, I will help you."

They flew in silence for a few minutes until Ravana spoke.

"You are a very kind dragon, but you don't have to stay either," she said.

"This is different," he said, "They are my family."

"Then I guess you have to get stronger, huh kid?"

Ravana picked up speed and they flew away into the setting sun.