In the land called Notos, a different group of humans ruled instead of the natives, which had led to an uprising by a portion of the indigenous population. Whether it was because they had trained him in the arts of warfare or some other reason, Ionathas sided with the existing authority. Apparently the rebels were gaining significant inroads and Ionathas was called to lend his aid to stem the tide. He declared himself honor-bound to answer the call, leaving her little choice but to accompany him.

Less than thirty of his company were willing to leave their hometown for this mission. With the increased rebel activity, they understandably feared for the village's safety. This fear resonated with Ionathas as well and he had no word of reproach for those who stayed behind.

They arrived at the meeting place, a town called Kordai, after travelling for a day and a half. On the outskirts of the town, many hundreds of men were assembled, all arrayed for battle. Ionathas and his companions did not have to go far before they were met by a man clad in gilded armor. He was well-groomed and his bearing proud, obviously a creature of noble blood by human reckoning. Ionathas and his men all bowed before him, but Corona had no need to humble herself for a mere human, no matter his rank among his kind. The nobleman paid no heed to the slight, his attention fixed wholly on Ionathas.

Looking at those accompanying him, the nobleman asked, "And this was all you could bring?"

Wagging his finger in mock scolding, the nobleman corrected him, saying, "Mine was a request for aid, not an order."

The nobleman smiled. "Well met, my young friend." Looking at Corona for the first time, he said to Ionathas, "I know you are left wanting for men, but it is strange that you would resort to enlisting women. Who is your beautiful companion?"

Ionathas introduced her. "Her name is Corona, milord," he said. "She is a stranger to this land and I have pledged myself to her service so long as she remains in Notos." Gesturing to the nobleman, he then said to her, "Corona, this is Duke Cronos, legate of the Zephyrian Third Legion and governor-general of the Protectorate of Notos."

The man called Cronos took hold of her hand, raising it up to his lips.

Ionathas abruptly stopped what he was saying, fearing that he had said too much. Indeed, this Duke took note of what he had said and began to look at her more closely.

His politeness to her in spite of the elevated position among his own kind softened Corona's attitude toward the Duke. Though her tone was still guarded, she replied without hesitation.

The Duke appeared surprised but not overly so.

Mistaking the comment for a statement of doubt, Corona replied with a hint of indignation, "The glory of my true form has been sealed away by the wretched servants of the pretender to my people's throne. In due time will the full scope of my powers be revealed."

The Duke bowed slightly. "I meant no offense by my words, milady. I was only stating my surprise that a rough lad like Ionathas has found himself such esteemed company."

Seeming slightly embarrassed, Ionathas scratched the back of his head silently. The Duke's pliant expression became grave as he looked to the free knight.

Shaking off his earlier discomfiture, Ionathas immediately responded with equal gravity. "Yes, milord, what would you ask of me?"

"Your team will scale the castle walls and go to the gatehouse of the Lion Gate and open the gate if it gates has not already been opened. You will then enter the castle and head to the lower levels to prevent any of the rebels from escaping through the catacombs. Most of the other men I have chosen are familiar with the castle and will be able to guide you to the place you must defend."

Showing not even the slightest sign of abashment, the Duke replied, "It is so. In my position, would you not think the same way?"

Looking at Ionathas, she realized that any obstinance on her part would only cause him unnecessary trouble. It was not something she could do in good conscience, not to one as faithful and true as her knight.

Keeping her tone high and aloof, she said, "I will abide by your wishes and wait within the forest to the east."

Ionathas saluted the Duke, pounding his fist into the pit of his shoulder.

His men followed in suit, and they all said in unison, "To victory."

The Duke returned the salute and then turned to leave. Once he was gone, Ionathas looked to his men.

As his men dispersed, Ionathas turned his attention to Corona.

The free knight looked surprised at the depth of her concern for him. In all honesty, it surprised her as well.

Looking at her with his eyes that knew no guile, he said earnestly, "I promise... and I'll be there to see you when you regain your powers."

Corona smiled. What was this affection she felt for this human? The warm feeling was completely alien to her in all the long centuries she had been alive. Something inside her wanted to hold on to that feeling and defend it with all her might. She could feel the tangled briars of the first seal begin to recede and cracks form in the thick shell of second. What could this mean?

She pondered the question until Ionathas left on his mission and throughout the night. As she set out for the cover of the woods before daybreak, she continued to wonder on the curious sensations that filled her heart. Near the point of the confluence where she and Ionathas met, she went into deep meditation, but the question continued to hound her.

Love. Was that what it was? The tongue of Dragons had no word for love. Some languages had only one word, others had many. Was it mere carnal passion? No, for only an adult male Dragon of her own kind could incite such a reaction, and only then during the proper season. Was it some deeper emotion, a feeling that crossed the bounds of race and time and distance? A feeling that bonded soul to soul, love of the spirit... Was that what she felt for Ionathas?

Her ears picked up the sound of a great commotion in the distance. The Duke may have overstated the magnitude of the battlecry of his men, but it was an impressive display nonetheless. Who would imagine such small creatures could have such voices that could carry for miles?

She was suddenly gripped by the uneasy feeling that had troubled her the day before. It was a magic unlike anything a human could ever wield. The magic of the Elder Ones. Worse yet, it bore the mark of the Eldest of Elders. Uneasiness precipitated into fear. No human could stand against the power of the Elders. Even the Greater Dragons were hard-pressed to stand against them.

Her thoughts centered on Ionathas. He was in grave danger out there. His frail body could easily be destroyed by an Elder One's might. She felt a tight squeezing in her chest. She wanted to help him, to save him. No matter what it took, even if it cost her life, she wanted to protect him.

It was at that moment a brilliant light shone from within her. The twin seals of the Black Dragons melted away as the burning light engulfed her very soul. Her whole body radiated with light as she could feel the bonds of her false form give way. Two pairs of feathered wings white as snow emerged from her back as her body grew. Her nails stretched into long talons and lustrous white scales covered her skin.

Before the light could fade to reveal her true form, she burst out from the cover of the trees, her powerful wings propelling her through the air faster than any beast of the land could run. Within moments, the great city of the humans came into view. Just as she had sensed, the barrier of an Eldest of Elders was protecting the castle while bolts of pure magical energy raked across the ranks of the men assaulting the gate.

She sensed a redirection of the energy within the barrier to a single point on the northern side. A small ring could be seen where energy was being gathered for an attack. The ring was encircling Ionathas! Through some unknown means, he had launched himself into the air and was vainly attempting to pierce the barrier with his enchanted sword. There was not a moment to lose. Charging her body with all the æther she could draw from wind and sun to increase her speed, she snatched up Ionathas at the last possible instant, barely managing to raise a barrier of her own in time to repel the bolt that surged from the ring. Her barrier withstood the bolt, but it could not survive another and neither could she.

As she flew overhead, she called out to the men on the ground, fruitlessly struggling against a power they could not possibly comprehend.

Whether they heeded her warning or not, she did not stop flying until she reached the forest. Landing with the utmost care, she placed Ionathas on the ground as gently as her gigantic body could manage. With a brief incantation, her body returned to the human form Ionathas was familiar with. The free knight looked at her in amazement.

Corona was happy to hear that he was unharmed, but a change in his countenance troubled her. He looked as if his very spirit had been cast into the Abyss.

Corona rested a hand on his shoulder and said, "There was nothing you could have done. It was beyond your power, beyond even my power. Your enemies have enlisted the aid of an Elder One, one of the Eldest of Elders. I do not know what business their evil kind has with these humans you fight, but there was no way you could have known beforehand. You are alive and that is all that matters. Even in defeat, a living man can fight again."

Her attempts to comfort Ionathas reminded her of her own defeat at the hands of Xorgoth and his lackeys. Although he remained melancholy, her words seemed to encourage him a little.

Corona nodded and the two began to seek out the Duke and his men. As they walked, Corona thought on a disturbing thing she saw while she was flying to Ionathas' rescue. She had seen the shapes of many men swarm into the town they called Kordai. She was gripped with an ill feeling, but she chose to keep it a secret from Ionathas. For now, at least, she wanted to spare him any further heartbreak.