Richard Knaak: Day of the Dragon

“Perhaps you’re right.” The bearded mage looked at the others, who nodded in agreement. “Unanimous, then. How wonderful.” He raised his hand, ready to dismiss the council. “Well, if there’s nothing more—”

“Actually, there is,” interrupted the dragon mage. A cloud from the fading storm drifted through him.

“What is it?”

“Although you have granted me pardon for my questionable actions, I must tell you now that I must take my leave from council activities for a time.”

They looked stunned. None could recall him ever having missed a gathering, much less stepping back from the council altogether.

“How long?” Modera asked.

“I cannot say. She and I have been apart so long, it will take quite some time to regain what we once had.”

Korialstrasz could almost see Drenden blink, despite the shadow spell. “ You have a . . . a wife, is she?”

“Yes. Forgive me if I never recalled to tell you. As I said, we were apart for quite some time. . . .” He smiled even though they could not see it. “. . . but now she is returned to me.”

The others shared glances. Finally, Drenden replied, “Then . . . by all means . . . we shall not stand in your way. You certainly have the right to do this. . . .”

He bowed. In truth, the dragon hoped to return, for this had been as much a part of his centuries-old life as almost anything else. Yet, compared to being with his Alexstrasza, even it paled in comparison. “My thanks. I hope, of course, to keep abreast of all news of import, I promise you. . . .”

He raised his hand in farewell as the spell he cast transported him away from the Chamber of the Air. Korialstrasz’s parting words were truer than even the other wizards might have realized. As one of the Kirin Tor—even one absent from the council—he most definitely planned to watch the political maneuverings. Despite “Lord Prestor’s” disappearance, potentially devastating squabbles remained between the various kingdoms, Alterac again one of the foremost topics. His duties for Dalaran demanded Korialstrasz maintain watch.

And for his queen, for his ancient kind, he and others like him would also watch . . . watch and influence, if necessary. Alexstrasza believed in these young races, more so after what Rhonin and the others had done, and because of that Korialstrasz intended to do what he had to in order to steel her belief. He owed that to both her and those who had aided him in his quest.

No one had sighted Deathwing since the black beast’s desperate escape. With the others constantly on watch for him now, it seemed unlikely that he would cause much terror for some time to come, if ever. Yet, because of him, the others had taken a renewed interest in life and the future.

The day of the dragon had passed, true, but that did not mean at all that they would not continue to leave their mark in the world . . . even if no one else ever suspected it.