Enchantment and Iron (Dragons and Aces #3)

Ode

Back from rival shores at dawn

With leaden heart, brave Essa flew

Her lover ashen, cold, and slain

She resolved to build her world anew.

Still the drums of war beat on,

Like thunder ’cross the weary sea,

A nest of vipers open’d its jaws,

To welcome her, their queen-to-be.

She could buy peace and acquiesce,

Or so the Priest of Shadows said,

A sovereign in her name alone,

A pawn, with crown upon her head.

Yet though her Torouman implored

She buy them peace and bend the knee,

A girl filled with a dragon’s heart,

Could not endure life less than free.

And so she gathered her Skrathan proud,

Upon their dragons bright arrayed,

The loyal people heard her call,

With fork and scythe and club and blade.

Toward Charcain in the black of night

Crept her band of rebels bold,

To face Lacuna, golena, mage

And take back from them the crown they stole.