Late that night, when the prison darkens and all grows still, Hope takes the note from Threshold Mind out of her clothing and reads it from the moon’s light peering through her small window:

through my network

I found a hidden way

to provide the book’s page

to the lord without fray

as for the assassin, he hails

from the old promised land

but secretly hired by pure nation 

to strike with wavering hand

the shooting was a set up

to act on a divine behalf

the lord is not a dragon

he is the golden calf

As Hope finishes reading the note, she hears the guards coming to her cell. She hides the note and stands at attention. The guards quietly slide the prison door open as moisture drips off its cold iron. Without a word or light to shine the way, they escort Hope out the back door to a limousine waiting with TS’s family dragon seal impressed on its side. A guard opens the door and motions for Hope to enter. She sits across from TS as the door closes. TS says to her:

so what do you want

now that you know

that I am not the dragon

but the old sheep of woe

Hope stares at TS, still trying to understand his intentions. She replies:

I want nothing more

than to live free

to heal our differences

and let fear flee

but you should be aware

betrayal walks your midst

he too now holds the book

and knows about the kiss

he also arranged the shot

that raised your dragon name

whether by chance or design

he plays a darker game

TS motions for the limousine to depart. They drive in silence until they come to an old iron gate that stands between mortality and morality. TS nods to the driver who opens Hope’s door. She steps out and takes one step forward. Hope pauses and then turns back toward TS.

Standing in front of the limousine’s dragon crest, with the darkened Ridge to left and the snow peaked mountain to the right, Hope says: 

I sense something in you

that has not turned to stone

if goodness still survives

you need not stand alone

Hope walks back toward the Hills as TS drives up to the Gold House.