As Ingrid's vision came into focus, the first thing she saw was a mane of red hair. She blinked and found herself in Ruber's strong arms.

"Ruber?" she said quietly, her voice raspy as if she'd been asleep for hours.

"Ingrid," Ruber said excitedly, "You're awake! Oh, my darling!"

He kissed her several times all over her face and only when he stopped did she see his injuries. One side of his face was badly bruised and the cheekbone looked mangled beneath the purple skin.

"Ruber! My love, what happened?" Ingrid asked, placing a hand very gingerly onto his cheek.

She whispered a healing spell and, like a cloth soaking up wine, the bruising disappeared at Ingrid's touch. The bones moved back into place.

Ruber sighed with relief and said, "Remember how I said dragons are more of a nuisance than anything?"

"Yes," Ingrid smiled, remembering their conversation in Dragon Country.

"Well, I take it back. That was the nastiest dragon I've ever come across and that was even after you poisoned it," Ruber said.

"Yeah, well," a voice said.

Ingrid turned to see Cornwall and Devon nearby nursing a broken leg and some holes in their already broken wing.

"Remember how I said Ruber is a giant jerk?" Cornwall asked Devon, who nodded.

"I take it back," Cornwall said.

Ruber almost smiled before Cornwall said, "He's a humongous jerk."

Ingrid, Ruber, and both dragon heads laughed. Ruber set Ingrid down carefully on the ground.

Ingrid healed the leg and wing of the two-headed dragon.

"Where is my sister? And Garrett? And Arthur and Merlin? And what happened to Morgan?" Ingrid asked.

"Everyone is fine," Ruber replied, "But Morgan escaped."

"Ingrid!" a voice called.

Kayley came running and threw her arms around her sister.

Garrett was close behind, smiling proudly. They'd already been healed, probably by Merlin.

"Kayley," Ingrid said, "The baby is safe?"

"You know about the baby?" Garrett asked, surprised.

Kayley and Ingrid shared a glance and Ingrid nodded.

Merlin and Arthur came into view.

"Merlin!" Ingrid cried, "Is it true, Morgan escaped?"

"She'll be back one day or another," Merlin said, "For now, we will focus on your training and rebuilding the damaged parts of Camelot."

"And we must also send the Tantalians back to their home in the desert," King Arthur added, pointing, "Their mothers, daughters, and wives have all been returned to them after years of imprisonment."

Ingrid looked. Chief Hinn had his arm around an ornately decorated queen. He noticed Ingrid and waved. Ingrid smiled and waved back.

"But my King, won't they be in danger if we send them back to the desert? What if Morgan is there?"

"Morgan would not try the same plan again," Merlin said, "I have no doubt that she will attack again, but she will use other methods."

"Why were only the women taken by the dragon?" Ingrid asked.

"So many questions," Merlin said with a smile, "Though I expected no less of you."

Ingrid grinned sheepishly.

"It is an old and evil magic, not entirely under the control of the caster, which is why no wise sorcerer dare call upon it," Merlin explained, "You see, it came from a time early in our history when women were hunted and killed for their magical gifts. Somehow, the leftover magic mixed with the sorrow of the victim's families and the malice of the murderers to form a terrible beast.

"Whether it took the form of a dragon at first, I don't know. The Ancient Ones managed to get the beast under control and there it remains until someone decides to harness it. But make no mistake, Ingrid, such a magic can never truly be controlled and some things are better left alone."

Ingrid nodded. She gazed around the courtyard. Parts of the walls were damaged but the citizens of Camelot were talking and laughing happily.

She caught sight of her husband, Ruber, in conversation with Chief Hinn's wife. His face looked brighter than it had in years. He smiled amiably as the Tantalian queen patted his cheeks between her hands, probably thanking him.

"I have one more question," Ingrid turned back to Merlin.

"I didn't have to use the spell that covers the scent of blood. Do I really have to learn it?"

Merlin laughed. "You'll learn a lot of spells you might never use, my dear. Get used to it."