Page 110 of Dragon Strike (Age of Fire 4)

“Ghioz looks everywhere for friendship,” the Red Queen said.

The Ironriders said something in a tongue AuRon did not know, but he recognized the Parl word for dragons.

“Yes, yes, everyone must have dragons to accomplish their goal. That is the difficulty. There are so few, at least who will act with intelligence. Remember the stupidity of the ones used to human direction, how easily they died when left to their own devices in conquering the Chushmereamae Archipelago. I have sent you roc-riders for scouting, and that will have to do.

“So, what will it be, AuRon? I offer you a title, if you will take it. You’ll find the duties light and our friendship worth thrice the pittance we ask in return.”

“It is a poor island, Great Queen. It offers little except fish and seal-meat.”

“But it does have dragons. Dragons, being intelligent, powerful, and winged, are the most useful of allies.”

“Join? I cannot make up my mind about so important a decision without consulting others. My hatchlings, however, need coin, and need it soon if they are to grow up strong.”

“Then you will find us a generous commissioner. We need a messenger to go to your kind in the Lavadome and offer them friendship. Through blunder and misunderstanding, we have fought at the Sloai horsedowns and in Bant. We were considering sending another as emissary, but his past in the Lavadome might carry along prejudice against our intent. You, as a fresh face, could be fairly heard.”

“What would your message be, Great Queen?”

“The friendliest of messages. Only that there be a dialogue between worlds, upper and lower, so that we might settle disputes without bloodshed.”

“Your terms?”

“Upon a dragon from the Lavadome attending as an ambassador to my court, and the appointment of an ambassador from Ghioz to the Lavadome, and the establishment of communications each way, we will present to you a ransom in pure gold coin.”

“A ransom?”

“Do you know our weights and measures?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“It is about the weight of a full-grown male bull.”

“That is a substantial sum indeed.”

“Then the terms are satisfactory?”

“The mission may fail. I would like to be compensated in that eventuality.”

“One-quarter shall be yours, then.”

“I do not know your customs, Great Queen. How do we call it a bargain?”

“There are seals and such that can be set upon paper, but they are only as good as one’s word, and you already have ours.”

AuRon decided that if nothing else, contact with other dragons would be beneficial. He hoped there weren’t remnants of the wizard’s old armada lurking in this Lavadome, nursing a grudge against the one who brought about their master’s fall. “Then you have mine as well.”

“We are always happy to come to agreement.”

“Will you satisfy me on something?” AuRon asked.

The mask spun around, and briefly frowned, then the smiling side turned back again. AuRon judged it a warning to get to the point. “We have other business this day, but you have our attention.”

“The friend I lost—DharSii spoke of her. How long had she been in the service of Ghioz? What were her aims and goals and so on?”

“Friend? Another dragon?”

“Yes.”

“There is some misunderstanding. We never had her in our service. We are afraid she was friend to the blighters and guarding a very great prize. As an obstacle to our will, she had to be removed. DharSii was fond of her, and gave her every opportunity to escape destruction.”

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