Page 1 of The Arrival of the Dragons

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“That bastard!” Valerius hissed as he jumped to his feet, eyes locked on Illarion, as the Green Dragon circled High Reach.

Caden’s haze of pleasure fell away as he watched the titanic Green Dragon cut through the sky as if he owned it. If there was one thing he knew, such arrogance would not be tolerated by either Valerius or Raziel. Cold memories of him and Valerius battling over the skies of Reach filtered through his brain. He remembered the dead and the dying by the Gash. That would benothingif Valerius and Illarion attacked one another.

“He knows you’re not in the castle, right? I mean, it almost looks like he wants you to come out and play,” Caden said after watching Illarion for a few moments more.

Scowling, Valerius growled, “He will find out that I donotplay.” He focused on Caden who had gotten to his feet as well then. “You will stay here. I will handle this.”

Caden though grabbed his arm. “Byhandle thiswhat exactly do you mean?”

“I will knock that son of a bitch out of the air and then roast him with fire!” Valerius roared, his temper rising up like a volcano.

Caden could hear Raziel in Valerius’ voice. The Spirit and the man were speaking as one. A quiver of fear and awe ran through him. Red light flared in the Black Dragon King’s eyes.

There will be violence. There will be death, Iolaire whispered.This cannot be.

“Wait, wait, wait, Illarion isrightover Reach! You take him out and he takes down a part of the city,” Caden reminded him. “Just us tusseling a little bit killed over a dozen people. Two titanic Dragons fighting over a population center? What do you think that will do?”

That last part had a guilty flash going through Valerius’ eyes. The red glow reduced slightly.

“Shifting in my territory and flying around my capital city without my permission is the height of disrespect! I cannot let it stand, Caden! You give Illarion an inch and he will take miles!”

Caden’s mind tumbled. He understood that territory was all important to Dragons. He was certain Valerius was right that if he didn’t go after Illarion, the Green Dragon would consider it a victory and increase his tactics. But he also felt that any contest between the Black and the Green Dragons would lead to greater tragedy. Iolaire was rigid inside of him. He felt warnings coming off of the White Dragon.

No violence. Must not allow violence,Iolaire said. It was speaking far more than ever before, anxious to get its point across.Arrogant Green Dragon. Poisonous and foul. Must not fight though. Not now.

Yeah, okay so Illarion is an asshole, how do I make Valerius realize he’s not worth turning into a charcoal briquet?Caden asked.

Illarion is not worthy of notice,Iolaire said and the image of a fly circling a mountain.Insignificant.

Oh, right! Got it!

“Illarion is doing this to get a rise out of you, Valerius,” Caden said. “He wants you to fly up there and challenge him. Because that makes him important and worthy of your time. So that’s the last thing you should do.”

“Thelastthing? I cannot just ignore this!” Valerius pointed to the sky with emphasis.

“No, you’re right. But it’s how you respond that’s important. Let’s not play his game. Let’s not attack him,” Caden said as Iolaire presented him with an image of the White and Black Dragons flying together towards the Green Dragon. “Iolaire thinks we should make a united front.”

“What? You are not going up there! You are staying here!”

“Iolaire disagrees. As do I. We go up and meet Illarion together. We don’t attack. We look like--ah,parentsdisapproving of a teenagers’ antics,” Caden raced out as Iolaire sent him more images. “It’ll be clear that he’s being an asshole, not being a good guest, and that we don’t approve. But most importantly, it’ll make his posturing seem what it is! Pathetic. Andweak.”

Valerius blinked. “Iolaire is a strategist.”

Iolaire was still rigid, not sure if Valerius and Raziel would agree with them.

“I think Iolaire isn’t fond of fighting, but I think it’s right, too. I mean, Illarion is just edging for a fight. We shouldn’t give him what he wants. Not giving him what he wants should be our main goal at all times,” Caden said.

“That will frustrate him no end.” Valerius gave a grim smile.

“Exactly. We should just treat him as if he’s a badly behaving guest, andnota challenge to you.” Caden put a hand on Valerius’ chest. “You’re theking of kings. He’s not even a pretender to the throne.”

A full body shudder went through Valerius, but then he gave a nod. He caught both of Caden’s biceps. “If he attacks, you will retreat. Do you understand? I do not need your help in fighting him.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to fight. And I know you got that part of the equation,” Caden assured him. His shoulders twitched just thinking about going up against the mammoth Black Dragon. “But you don’t fight unless people’s lives are at stake, right?”

Another tight nod. Caden could see his jaw muscles working. Valerius was not liking this, but he was going to do it. Caden felt like dancing, but then he remembered they had to shift and face Illarion. His mouth went dry.

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