Page 108 of Dragon Rule (Age of Fire 5)

“I suspected you would. Well, Imfamnia and I get along.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just find a reasonable dragon to take our spot—perhaps one of the offspring—and go back home?”

Natasatch stretched and rolled over on her other side. “The island? I’d rather take my chances here, to be honest. At least there are metals to eat.”

“Metals or no, too many plots and plans on the cooking fire for my taste. I had enough stratagems and deception in my life just getting that collar off your neck.

“Besides, by ensuring that one of us is on the winning side, you’ve guaranteed one of us will lose, too.”

“The victor can afford to be magnanimous.”

“I’ve seen victors who use their victory to engage in bloody slaughter, too,” AuRon said.

“Oh, that’s hominids, they’re always gutting each other to make a point. A dragon may humble an enemy, but he’ll let them live. Look at Imfamnia or that striped orange friend of yours.”

AuRon wondered what DharSii would think of all this. Where was he? He said something about trading some gathered dragon-scale for coin and paying another visit to the Lava-dome. Scale wasn’t worth as much as it once was, with so many dragons above ground these days, but he thought he could get some coin. Well, no use chasing him down.

“I think I’m due for a visit to my brother,” AuRon said.

“What, already?” Natasatch said.

“It’s possible that NiVom and Imfamnia’s plans are well-advanced. Maybe if they learn he’s suspicious of them, they’ll forget whatever it is they’re planning.”

“While you’re doing that, I think I’ll invite Imfamnia over for a visit.”

AuRon only knew one or two ways into the Lavadome, and a windy tunnel out of it. Long flights didn’t fatigue him the way they did other dragons, so he made the trip in two days.

He wondered how much Natasatch would tell Imfamnia. Well, it didn’t matter. Not even NiVom and Imfamnia would be able to put their plans into effect, with the head start he had.

He flew straight to the Imperial Rock and spoke to NoSohoth about getting a private audience with his brother on an urgent and secret matter.

The Copper dismissed his Griffaran Guard to wait outside. “Our Protector of Dairuss never was one to start a fight.”

“I have finished my share,” AuRon said.

“Follow me. It’s late, and I know a place we can talk.”

He led AuRon down a series of ramps and passages going down through the heart of Imperial Rock.

They ended up in a big, sand-floored cavern. AuRon wondered if it was an arena or a theater of some kind.

The acoustics in this cavern were strange. The sand soaked up the sound of their clawfalls and tail-drags. But when they spoke, the words echoed off the empty shelves and rough cavern roof.

The Copper found a broken metal scale-file on the lowest shelf of the arena, sniffed it for a moment, then swallowed it whole.

“The Tyr doesn’t rate better metals for his gold gizzard?”

The Copper let out an acidic belch. “A little iron only makes the rest of the ores more effective.”

“Our father said something about that.”

“Your father, you mean,” the Copper said. “He never sought that title in my case.”

“Well, we’re somewhere where we can spot listeners ten dragonlengths away. What do you have to tell me in private?”

Choosing his words carefully, AuRon relayed his suspicions about the treachery brewing in Ghioz.

“What’s your course, AuRon? Are you trying to divide me from NiVom?”

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