Starflinger rested her head on her forepaws, and tried not to zone out during the lesson, like Moonshadow, her brother, was doing. She loved Flaming Honesty, the Night Light who had raised her, but these lessons on leadership skills, despite the fact that she knew she would need them, had gotten old a long time ago. She prodded Moonshadow with the tip of her tail, and his eyes shot open.

"The best way to influence others is through diplomacy," Honest was saying. "Basically, you need to get them to do what you want them to do by making them think it is their idea. Drop the right clues in the right places, and whether they know it or not, they should understand the hint - unless they're hopelessly obtuse, of course - and suggest that they do the very thing you wanted in the first place. . ."

She trailed off when she realized that neither of her students were listening. "Come on, you two. You're gonna need this knowledge when you get older. You're going to become Queen of Dragons, Starflinger, and you're going to be the Night Furies' Representative in the Council, Moonshadow."

'Honest,' said a voice.

Honest perked up at once, her ear flaps standing on end like a rabbit's. Pheda?

'I'm ready at the Waterfall. You?'

I'm ready, Honest answered. I'll be right there. She looked at Starflinger and Moonshadow. "You two stay in the Hidden World, okay? I'll be back as soon as I can."

Moonshadow hesitated, but Starflinger nodded with uncharacteristic agreeableness. "We'll stay," she said.

Under ordinary circumstances, Honest would have been at least a little suspicious, but not now. She turned, and left the cave, launching into the air as soon as she was clear of the ceiling. She flew quickly through the pillars of glowing mushrooms, then up through the Waterfall.

She found Pheda on a small sailing dinghy, just far enough away from the Falls that the current wouldn't carry her over the edge. Honest landed beside her upon the little craft, and met her friend's eyes. They were worried.

Honest cocked her head. You okay?

Pheda took a deep breath, trying to control herself. Then all her thoughts left her at once. 'It's been thirteen years, Honest! Thirteen! How am I supposed to find them now? How?'

Honest was silent for a moment. I don't know, she said at last. But we can't give up. A few more raids. We'll find something. We found Nuffink. How can that not give you hope that we'll find Milehck and Lindyr?

'It was sheer luck that we found Nuffink,' Pheda said bitterly. 'Happened upon him is more how it went. Besides, he's half-dead, and was in a small rowboat with no fresh water or provisions. It may seem a good sign that we found him at all, but how is it hope-giving that he was abandoned, with no clues as the whereabouts of the others we're looking for?'

Don't give up, Pheda, Honest said. An enemy who we allow to remain unchecked is a dangerous one, especially if said enemy is elusive. If we give up the search, we allow him to find New Berk defenseless once more, and if he takes it again, saving it may not be an option.

Pheda looked back at her friend, and a small smile played at her lips. 'You're right. You always are.'

She took a deep breath. 'We'll find something. A remnant of plans. A lead on Milehck or the mysterious raid leader. The truth cannot stay hidden much longer.'

Starflinger crouched on top of a rock formation just outside the Waterfall, head cocked in confusion as she listened. Who was this Nuffink they were talking about? What raider did they mean? Who were Milehck and Lindyr? She retreated back to the classroom cave, trying to puzzle out the riddle of her peers' conversation before Honest got back. Just as she returned, a new idea occurred to her, and a smile spread across her face. Grinning wide, she changed direction, heading off to find her two other siblings.