"You joined the Dark Union?" Nashiva whispered, her pale gold eyes widening in disbelief. "It is an organisation founded on over-blown suspicions and the ambitions to seize power!"
Star's smile faded. He'd been certain the dragon would have praised him for his decision, for choosing the right side to fight for. "Why do you say that?"
"That's how it seems to me, from what you've told me of it. I thought you'd have figured it out for yourself by now, but-"
"Be silent!" Star ordered, startling both himself and Nashiva, who stared at him in shock. It was the first time he'd commanded anything of her, least of all in that tone of voice - one that brooked no argument. He took a deep breath then said, "I've always listened to your advice, because I know it's good, but how can you argue against this? The Order of the Flame are enforcers of this supposed peace-"
"Stop it!" Nashiva snarled, her eyes flashing with real anger. "I cannot believe I'm hearing you preach that load of tripe!"
"I happen to believe that 'load of tripe'," Star said, trying to smile for her benefit. She was his friend, after all. He wanted her to side with him on this. To trust in him, as he'd so often trusted in her. "Navaros is-"
"Navaros?" Her expression went blank. "The Bonded of Kaeros? What has he to do with this?"
Star lowered his voice, even though no one was anywhere nearby. "He's the leader of the Dark Union."
"But he used to be the Champion in the High Council! He represented the Honour of the Order for two seasons running!"
"That's why I believe him," Star said eagerly. "Why would anyone who had been on the High Council, why would a former Champion, do this if he didn't believe in it? A lot of other high-ranking Bonded have sided with him, as well. Don't you see? They're going to use the Dark Union to liberate Drakan!"
"Why is it called the Dark Union, Star?" Nashiva asked suddenly. Her draconic voice had lowered, and her eyes almost seemed to burn with intensity. "Can you tell me?"
"That? Navaros said it's only a temporary name while we meet in secret, in the shadows. I've made my vows of loyalty with this thing called a Jewel of Eternity. This is great - let me tell you what it does-"
"What about your vow of loyalty to me and the Order?" Nashiva whispered, a look of hopeless betrayal in her eyes and voice now. "Do the words mean nothing to you, my friend? 'By Fire and by Blood I join with thee in the Order of the Flame!'"
"The... Dark Union will become a new Order of the Flame," Star said, with some difficulty. Nashiva gazed at him like he was a stranger to her. "They will make changes to the Order's code... nothing more. Nashiva, I have to attend a training session. Don't tell anyone what we've spoken of... please?" She didn't answer... didn't even look at him when he eventually turned and walked off in the direction of the archery range.
But before he was quite out of range, he thought he heard her murmur, "I have no choice."
"When Navaros and Kaeros returned after their ten year absence," Star said, "the Horn of Drakaur was sounded, summoning all Bonded to the Castle of Seasons. He contacted someone in the Dark Union first, though, and we were ordered away from the castle with our dragons. Not all of the Bonded, humans and dragons alike, could fit into the Hall... but all that did died."
"I know the story," Rynn said softly. "What did you do?"
"When we heard of the slaughter, I wanted out. Nashiva urged me to act on that thought, but I couldn't. I think I was afraid that Navaros would kill me. He could have, since he had my life tied to a jewel." He sighed. "Or so I thought at the time. I told Nashiva about the Jewels and she stopped begging me to return to the Order. She didn't want to become frozen stone... but looking back, we both wish we'd faced death rather than fight for an evil cause.
"We fought for him. And when he was defeated by Heron and Arokh, we spent the next century hiding from the last members of the Order of the Flame. Traitors, in a world we'd helped bring to the brink of obliteration."
But now you know you're free," Rynn said. "Navaros doesn't have your jewel." He nodded, and she continued with, "Forgive me, but I thought... I was under the impression that all Dark Unionists believed completely in what they were doing."
Star shook his head and replied in an adamant voice, "Had I known the whole agenda, as few did, I would never have joined. Had I known Navaros' true plans, I would have tried to kill him myself." He sighed, smiling a little. "So, Rynn. What's your life story?"