Chapter 6

The Sad Truth

Marlene

A messenger knocked at my door one lonely night in Purple Meadows. I opened the door and saw his solemn face. I suspected something was wrong, but tried not to say anything. I thought he was one of the many dragons who had lost a friend in the war.

The messenger paused and said, "Marlene, I hate to tell you this, but the Alliance has decided that you should be the first to know."

I could only hope there was a little happy news in times of darkness. But I knew better than to wish for things that won't happen.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Prince Rico Sullivan III..." The messenger paused to wipe a tear from his eye. "Is dead."

I couldn't believe what I had heard. Rico was dead. Murdered. Probably by the Fangpyres, a group I had once belonged to. I felt a rush of grief, horror, and anger all at once. The overwhelming sense of sadness swept over me and I burst into tears.

"I'm sorry for your loss," the messenger said. Messengers did not specialize in comforting the grieving, just in telling us the bad news. "One last thing," the messenger added. I looked at him through my tears. "Rico asked that in the event of his passing, you be given this letter."

I took the letter. The messenger left as I opened and read it:

Dear Marlene,

If you are reading this letter, then I am dead or dying. Hopefully, the messenger has already told you this, and the previous fact is no surprise. Just know that I love you, and I will always be with you.

On to more important matters. At the time of the writing of this letter, I was a part of a group called the Wizards of the Tribes. The Wizards are working to quickly and peacefully end the war. If our plan to do so works, the Alliance will win the war with little bloodshed. I am asking that you help to lead them. Go to the cave near the pool in Purple Meadows and ask for Cara. Hopefully she will help you. Bring one friend with you and mention this letter. DO NOT MENTION THIS TO ANYONE ELSE.

You are the greatest magician I know. You can lead the Wizards to victory. I believe in you.

Rico

I needed to see the Wizards of the Tribes. They were Rico's legacy, and I needed to help them. But first, I needed to talk to Ethan.