We have a secret weapon." She glanced back at Jarrett, who sat alone at the edge of the milling crowds. "We need to prepare. I'll fill you in as the others get ready to sleep for the night."
***
The next morning, Tressa emerged from her sleeping roll in the meadow. Renny had offered her a place in the hall, but she chose to stay outside with the others from the Black. Granna had also turned them down, preferring to sleep curled up in Mestifito's wing. Their close relationship, one that had spanned decades and heartache touched Tressa. She looked over at Jarrett, still asleep and within arm's reach.
Tressa fought the urge to reach out and touch Jarrett's short hair. He'd shorn it to the scalp after arriving at the Ruins of Ebon, keeping it away from the still-healing wounds where his ears used to be. Instead, she held back, letting him sleep. He would need his strength for what lay ahead.
Tressa admired his conviction. He was willing to help the Black, even though it meant going back to the island and getting ever closer to the one who controlled him. He was a warrior, battle would be easy for him. Giving himself over to the beast that had mutilated him would prove the greater challenge. Freeing him from whatever held him captive would be their final task. Together they could do it. Tressa was sure of that. They could face anything together.
The camp sprang to life around her, as if they sensed her awakening. People ate over small campfires, sharing rounds of mead and water, breaking bread, and pulling grapes from their stems. Still, Jarrett slept, a neutral expression on his face. His chest rose and fell in measured breaths.
Tressa shook off the night's sleep and walked to Fi's fire. "May I sit with you?" she asked her dear friend.
"Of course," Fi said, scooting over on her log. "Are you ready for today?" She nodded at the dragons getting fitted with armor at the outskirts of the camp.
"I don't know if I can ever be ready for battle," Tressa admitted. "Honestly, I'm getting a little tired of it. Do you think this will really end the war?"
"If we can chop off the head, the snake will die," Fi said. "We'll lure the Red Queen out and we'll kill her."
"You make it sound so simple," Tressa said.
"It is. It's a simple plan, which is always the best. Unfortunately, we have a lot of people out there, and any one of them can make a mistake that tips the balance from our favor. We just have to hope we can pull it off, no matter what happens." Fi took a bite of jerky, chewing noisily with her mouth partially open. She swallowed and smiled at Tressa. "Sorry, but I like to eat a lot before a battle. No one wants to be up there with an empty stomach."
Off to the side, dragons began their mock battles. Knocking into each other, striking with a taloned foot, all in an effort to test their new armor. Not only did it hold, but there wasn't a dent to be seen.
"It's amazing," Tressa said. "The armor appears light enough to fly in without much trouble."
"I think we should count ourselves lucky you are on our side, Tressa. Because the Green was preparing for a battle. It could have easily been against us. They are a strong ally and it's thanks to you they're fighting with us."
Tressa swirled the water in her cup. She watched it spin in a circle with a tiny funnel in the middle. There were wonders everywhere, even in the smallest things, particularly in places she often didn't think to look. "I didn't do anything amazing, Fi. It was pure luck I ended up on the shores of the Meadowlands."
Fi snorted. "Then I guess we have Jacinda to thank. The Yellow Queen set you on the path that led not only to freeing the Meadowlands, but also to them giving us all of this armor."
"She also gave me Jarrett," Tressa said. "And look how he has suffered. If you give me credit for our chance at victory, then I also take the blame for Jarrett's troubles."
Fi wrapped an arm around Tressa's shoulders. "We'll find a way to heal him completely. I promise. And I'm so sorry I couldn't help more. I really thought our healers and mages would find a way to sever whatever hold is over him."
"I'm glad you took him to the