[quote][i]I don't need their deaths,[/i] the Lord of Shadow's hissing voice echoed all around, over the beating of the dark-dripping heart. [i]And they are no threat to me. I asked you to come alone in order to minimize the casualties you leave in your wake, Lady of Light.[/i][/quote]

Immediately upon hearing this Anise felt like something was terribly terribly wrong. She knew that coming here would leave her at a disadvantage. She knew she would be risking herself, but she had hoped that the Lord of Shadow would at least let them go. This meant he would make an effort to kill them as well.

[quote][i]I've noticed your sign of protection on this young fool, but for these soldiers of yours there is no --[/i][/quote]

When the riders started to light up and repel the shades a small amount of pride at her accomplishment rose in Anise's heart. She had granted them a defense against the Shadow.

Then information started flowing into her mind about the skeleton before her. This was the Dragon's body. It amazed her and terrified her at the same time. Terrified her because of what had been done to it after all the time within the mountain. Given the chance she would free her from this prison. She had to remove that dark ichor from it.

[quote][i]Anise Sinclair, [/i]the Lord of Shadow's voice called out with glee. [i]Allow me to introduce you to the Lady of Stone[/i].[/quote]

Anise refocused her attention on the Lord of Shadow's voice for a moment. Then the mountain came down around everyone. She felt herself fading as the riders used the Light and tested the Stone. She stubbornly refused to let go of her concentration though. She saw the bones of the Dragon breaking free of the Stone. She concentrated on the connection she had with the other eggs through the Blue Egg. 

All she needed to do was getting a simple message across. [i]Help. The survival of the Forest depends on all of us.[/i]

As soon as she let go of her focus on the Dragon she felt dizziness force her to her knees. However, she still had one more thing to do. The greatest reason she had to coming here in the first place: the Lady of Stone. She took several deep breaths to help her concentrate better. She ignored the sensation she felt from the Lady of the Pond's rune. She ignored Peck's statement of the obvious. She focused completely on the walls and rubble around her.

"Lady of Stone," Anise said wearily. "I am here to speak with you on behalf of your sister, the Lady of the Pond." She presented the Lady's Rune to the cave wall. "She says it is time to release the sun. If you do not believe it I understand, but I ask of you to hear out your Mother's case." She made a serious effort to stand up, grabbed the Spirit Egg from the air, and presented it to the rock face. "It is easy to fear retribution, but I swear upon my life she has no desire to destroy the home she built for herself and her children."