Grandur eased her sore muscles, and Zabeth decided to be cuddly, curling up next to her inside the sleeping bag. But Hue’s soothing tones pulled away the tension and then calmed her anticipation. Still, she awoke when the first morning bird trilled and the dawn light barely gave color to the festoon of yellow and orange mountain lilies.She stood as she ate breakfast, unable to contain her excitement and sit serenely with the others. She studied the happy faces of her companions. Bealomondore alone exhibited a thwarted spirit.“I’m off.” Beccaroon shook his tail feathers. “I want to scout for the inhabitants of the tower. Perhaps this early in the morning I will catch them close to home.”“Well, then,” said Bealomondore with an uneasy smile, “we can wait for your return before embarking on our search for the dragons.”Beccaroon laughed. “I’m sorry, dear tumanhofer. I’ve given directions to Verrin Schope. You’ll reach the meadow where the dragons rested last night before I will.”The young tumanhofer held a spoonful of porridge aloft.
