Page 40 of The Arrival of the Dragons

He had spoken blithely to Illarion about the danger posed by Mei’s mechanical men, but he wasn’t as calm about it as he appeared. In fact, the more he thought about Caden’s nonsensical message--Trojan Horses--the more uneasy he became. It would be like Mei to create something that seemed to pose a threat when, in reality, the real threat was hidden.

“He is quite impressive, Queen Mei,” Chione was the one to speak as Valerius’ silence had undoubtedly stretched too long. “And shows your cleverness.”

Mei seemed completely unphased by Valerius’ continued rude behavior. She giggled delightedly again. “Thank you, dearest Chione! To be given such a compliment from one as clever as you is so flattering!” She put a hand on her creation’s right shoulder. “Do you like the coloring, King Valerius? It was done especially for you and Raziel.”

He found himself smiling and it was not a nice smile. “Raziel looks forward to turning it into slag, Mei.”

Mei’s smile dipped for just a fraction then. “Oh, but you haven’t seen what it can do! You shouldn’t destroy it… not just yet.” She tried flashing a bright smile then as if destroying her “gift” was great fun.

Valerius stood up from his throne and walked down the steps until he was a foot from her. He knew he was invading her personal space. It was intended. She was over a foot shorter than him and was probably a third his size, not that Mei had ever let an opponent’s greater physicality impress her. But he knew how to loom, and even if he did not scare her, he made her angry, which was often more useful.

“Why did you bring them with you, Mei?” he asked softly.

The others in the room shifted uncomfortably. Simi and Ngoye tightened their hands on their weapons.

Mei looked up at him, still appearing serene, even if there was a splash of heightened color on both of her cheeks. “I thought this gift would please you, Valerius. A toy--”

“You do nothing unless it pleasesyourself,” he interrupted her crisply, something that no one did in her territory. Her eyes narrowed for a moment before springing back to those large, wide, girlish orbs full of innocence and light. “I do not wantyouhere, let alone this metal monstrosity, not to mention the hundreds that you had traipse through my territory.”

A cruel smile appeared on Mei’s lips, one that was far more her own than any of the others she had shown so far. “Your people seemed to appreciate them. Or do you think it foolish to enjoy the beauty of my creations?”

“They do not know you, Mei, but I do. They don’t know it was you who slaughtered that village after seducing the simple mayor’s son,” he said quietly. “If they did, they would never trust you or find pleasure in thegiftsyou bring.”

Her expression darkened. “That is a scandalous lie! I was the one attacked--”

“No, you were not, my dear,” Esme said with a sour press of lips. “Please, do not believe your own lies, let alone waste our time with them. Behave like your true self. There are no cameras here or rubes to be taken in.”

Mei’s dark eyes flashed, but then she let out a sharp laugh. “I suppose you are one to know that the best, Esme! Everyone sees you as their favorite, fashionable nai nai.” She used the Chinese word for paternal grandmother with a shake of her head. “When you have caused more deaths than perhaps all of us combined!”

“Well, I did not spend my life as a commonbandit. I advised the greatest kings and queens of this world,” Esme sniffed. “And with that kind of power comes death. Inevitably.”

“I see some merit in your robots, Mei,” Tez said, tapping his chin with one finger. “At least you would send soulless things to fight instead of using your people as canon fodder.”

“I protect my people,” Mei answered stiffly.

“Except that war inevitably leads to death, and having such soldiers seems to me like you want war,” Tez continued as if she had not spoken.

“Yes, what are you doing with these soldiers, Mei? What are you preparing for?” Esme’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I share a border with Illarion. Wouldn’t you want a deterrent, too?” Mei asked as she gestured towards the Green Dragon King who had not spoken.

Illarion showed a mouthful of teeth. “If I act it is only because I am provoked, or need… room.”

“That is what the Germans said before the World Wars!” Esme scoffed. “Need room! With all that space in Russia alone, you need no more room.”

Illarion extended his arms. “My wings are large, Esme, I must spread them wide.”

Mephous’ wings are stubby for its size,Raziel said with a puff of dismissive smoke.

“You cannot spread them at all since Iolaire has blocked your ability to shift,” Tez mocked.

Illarion swung towards Tez with raptor-like rage. His head was lowered as if he was about to ram Tez in the stomach. For his part, Tez looked eager to take part in a brawl. He was going to have to let them go at it or something was going to get broken, likely a wall or two in the castle and Valerius had no time for that.

They are loud and annoying,Raziel grumped.Make them stop.

Valerius agreed with his Spirit.

“Enough!” Valerius’ voice rose above the fray.

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