King N’chala said, “The Kingdom of T’nagru has never been more grateful. In noble service, you and the Dragon have far exceeded all expectations.” Rising from his seat, he bowed formally, a beautiful desert obeisance. “Without you, all would have been lost. We are forever indebted.”
Every noble and soldier in the hall bowed with him, as demanded by tradition, Dragon realised belatedly.
“When I make my vows, I would want to reserve an unusual … freedom, for a Princess of the realm,” she continued, treading delicately upon conversational eggshells. “By law, I am still this Dragon’s possession until such time as full ransom is paid. I would not like to place my Kingdom in any jeopardy as a result of my unusual position.”
Her brother’s dark eyes flashed as he considered the implicit threat.
Azania held up her hand. “Furthermore, I would not want to strain the Kingdom’s finances in a time of war by demanding such a ransom, and Dragon agrees with me in this.”
Oh, he did, did he? This was news.
Good thing she was right. Again. He restrained a juvenile eye-roll.
“Here is our proposal,” the Princess continued, smiling. “We would like T’nagru to take care of these freed Dragons until such a time as they are able to make independent decisions regarding their future. Meantime, Dragon and I will fly north, seeking the help of others of the Dragonkind against the forthcoming Skartunese invasion.”
“I will not be manipulated.”
The King’s harsh reply cut into a simmering silence.
“You misunderstand our intentions, o King,” Dragon put in. “The time for manipulation has passed – we hope – and resulted in the unfortunate death of your father.”
“How do I know your magic is not active right now?”
“You have the oath of a Dragon.”
A tic pulsed in the man’s cheek. Suddenly, he realised, a fresh and different danger threatened. His eyes flickered to Inzashu, standing to the King’s right, garbed in similar golden finery. Her ten-foot train pooled around her. No warning of magic could he give her, but the glance was enough. The eleven year-old’s tiara bobbed slightly in acknowledgement. Perhaps her senses also burned to the rawness of N’chala’s grief?
Azania said, “Do our actions not speak loudly enough?”
“Sister, at the crucial hour, will you choose to serve Humankind, or the Dragonkind?”
“Both, I hope.”
He was almost certain King N’chala feared a draconic plot against the future of his kingdom. How could he even begin to explain that this act would be anathema to any true Dragon’s heart, when he well knew not all Dragons were so kind or honourable, in the Human sense?
Was honour the word to sway this young ruler’s heart?
As his emotions peaked, lightning crackled inside his jaw. N’chala and many of the nobles flinched. The other two Princes scowled as if he had just offered them a poisoned chalice each, compliments of the Dragon.
Shifting his paws, he sighed. “I apologise for my lack of manners. My powers are new and I have yet to learn all the appropriate controls. Please hear our heart, o King. We plan to leave with you a force of twenty-six Dragons who, it is my hope, will both defend and help rebuild your city far faster than you could manage with Human hands or endeavour. You know they have been shamefully misused. As a Dragon, I ask only that you treat them with honour, and not as slaves. For my part, my intention is to treat your sister and your kingdom with equal honour.”
“Our heart?” he said.
“We are Dragon and Rider. This too, is a new thing.”
N’chala said, “What of my sister’s honour? What about the price my father placed upon her head? For I will be plain with you, Dragon. You are one Dragon, of no Clan. You cannot claim to speak for any of your kind. However, I do rejoice to see my sister well and hale, even if she is engaged in an enterprise which many, if not most in this kingdom, regard as deeply unsuitable for a woman. T’nagru’s dealings with Vanrace were ill done and created a rift where solidarity was needed, especially at this time of war. Again, we have you to thank for restoring Azania’s honour in that regard.”
Suddenly, he smiled and opened his right hand. In the desert, Dragon understood, this was a precursor to settling a bargain. “Sister, what do you want?”
His steely gaze stilled a rising muttering in the hall.
In a clear, steady voice, she said, “To see you, King N’chala, and our beloved Kingdom of T’nagru prosper and be kept safe from the Skartun scourge. We would serve and protect these people, and thus, form a bulwark against a Skartunese invasion of the other Kingdoms and keep them from the Tamarine Mountains, where they seek more Dragon thralls.”
“And for the Dragon?”
“To see him grow into his powers as a mighty and noble creature of the air, and to be restored to honour, Clan and kinship amongst his kind.”
N’chala stepped forward boldly, until he was close enough that he could reach out to clasp her hand in his. “And you, beloved sister? You have no wishes for yourself?”
Prince Aragu blurted out, “Brother, I protest this shameful display!”
Without turning, the King said, “Do you?”
The middle brother of the three, Prince Yadaxu, said,
